In the clearest sign yet the three on are the outer with coach Scott Miller, the grounded Jets will be replaced by players from the youth team.

The squad flies out for China on Thursday for a two-week tour with promising teenagers Kristian Brymora, Cameron Joice and Cody Carroll in the squad.

The selected youngsters will have their chance to impress, with one U20 spot in the first team still unfilled.

The three contracted players omitted from the tour also struggled for game time last season.

Cooper had the most opportunities with 12 appearances. He scored his first and only goal for the Hunter outfit in Round 19 against Brisbane Roar.

Brennan, 23, joined the Jets from NPL giants South Melbourne in April last year and came off the bench in the last three games of the season, while Pavicevic, 20, played 93 minutes across seven appearances.

According to reports Miller spoke recently of “possibly moving some players out”.

The coach didn’t name the players when he told the Newcastle Herald: “It’s a competitive environment, and if you can’t underpin and undertake the level of detail I’m giving the players, consistently, there’s no place for them at the Jets.”

He added: “It’s a competitive league and, as I keep saying, the A-League will only improve – it’s not only about commercial and bums on seats, it’s about the level and quality throughout the entire squad.”

The Jets will play Liaoning FC, Eastern SC and Kitchee SC before returning to Australia for two friendlies against Edgeworth Eagles and Western Sydney Wanderers next month.