The Mariners are already without Danny De Silva, Trent Buhagiar & Tom Glover due to national team duties and have today granted permission for Harry Ascroft to accept an opportunity to trial in Malta.  

The tough-tackling midfielder has notched 48 A-League appearances during his time with Western Sydney, Melbourne City and his hometown club Adelaide United.

Melling completed his first training session at the Central Coast Mariners Centre of Excellence today and is eligible for selection this Saturday against Melbourne Victory.

“I’m very excited and really look forward to hitting the ground running with my new club,” Melling said. “I know quite a few of the boys here so I am looking forward to working with all the players and staff.

“For me, seeing the way the Mariners play – they are a great team to watch. They’ve got a lot of young players so I think I can fit into the team nicely and make a difference to progressing on the ladder.

“The main goal for me is to get as many minutes under my belt as I can. Being injured for half of last season was frustrating. Now I’m back to full fitness so I just want to be able to contribute and do everything I can to help the team."

A product of the Australian Institute of Sport, Melling debuted with Adelaide United as a teenager in the 2011/12 season against Melbourne Heart. 

“Jacob joins the Mariners at a crucial time of the season, especially when we’re faced with such a busy period in January,” Head coach Paul Okon said.

“During this time, it’s important that every player in the squad is ready to play their part and we know that Jacob arrives in top condition and ready to play when called upon.

“I’ve worked with Jacob before at the Young Socceroos so I know him quite well,” Okon said. “Jacob is very good on the ball, we’re a team that likes to dominate possession and move teams around and Jacob has that ability. He has a very good passing range, he’s quite tenacious, he’s a real fighter and he’s a good character in the dressing room.

“All of the attributes we were looking for when we decided we wanted to bring in a midfielder, Jacob has certainly ticked all of those boxes.”