Coach Gary van Egmond has confirmed that last season’s Johnny Warren Medal winner is under consideration for the role but it is by no means a done deal.

One thing is certain though, the coach believes he has let a very good player go out on loan to Avispa Fukuoka and expects to get an even better player back.

Van Egmond told au.fourfourtwo.com: “Joel as a marquee is one of the issues we are looking at."

There is an opportunity for a marquee (following the departure of last season’s flop Mario Jardel) with one or two spots still to fill in the attacking third.

“I suppose it’s a question of looking at what we are getting for our dollars when we look at that (marquee) spot or even within the salary cap.

“We are not the biggest club in the competition and you can’t just be asking players to name their price. It doesn’t work that way," he said.

But whether Griffiths proves to be the marquee player or not next season, van Egmond is confident he will have a striker on his hands that will be even hungrier to impress.

Griffiths is finding life in Japan to his liking and goals in his first couple of matches have already endeared him to the Fukuoka fans.

Van Egmond has revealed that he is planning to see for himself how Griffiths is faring and says it is no coincidence that he is plying his trade at this particular club.

It was a blank weekend for Griffiths this time as Avispa suffered a 5-1 thumping by FC Gifu but it doesn’t change the fact he is in a terrific environment to learn, says the Jets coach.

He said: “I’ll be spending three or four days there to catch up with Joel. It’s no coincidence that he joined that particular club and that I’m happy he did so.

“He is working with Ian Crook and I know Crooky is someone I know well having worked with him here at the Jets. I’m looking forward to catching up with him as well.

“I’m sure Joel is happy that he’s got off to a good start over there and hopefully he can continue to do well and then come back ready to continue that good form for us.”