The Central Coast Mariners boss has not revealed the identity of the player concerned but former Aston Villa and England midfielder Lee Hendrie is thought to be the man in question. Northern Ireland's Keith Gillespie was the other name in the frame.

Hendrie, who made his name playing for Aston Villa, has found himself out of favour at the Championship club and spent the latter part of last season on loan at Leicester City.

McKinna has made no secret of his desire to make the most of the links established between the partnership clubs and he told au.fourfourtwo.com that it had been a case of so near and yet so far with the player in question.

He said: "We were very close to something with an experienced attacking midfielder at Sheffield.

"They had agreed that we could have the boy but he's decided he doesn't want to come to Australia. It might be that he thinks he has options still in the Championship over there.

"Still, there's nothing we can do about it now, he's made his decision and we move on."

The Mariners were heading for Canberra today to prepare for two trial games this week. The squad includes Matthew Osman and Paul O'Grady, both expected to play some part after overcoming their respective serious injury concerns.