The star Jets recruit was stretchered off after 64 minutes in Sunday's win after an ugly clash with Matt McKay where his ankle appeared to buckle under the contact.

The club confirmed Vargas had been taken to hospital for scans on a "very serious ankle injury", which is likely to end his 2017-18 season.

Merrick was visibly shattered during his brief post-game press conference, holding back tears.

"The win means nothing really," Merrick said.

"We'd have given it away for no injury to Ronnie.

"Any player suffering an injury like that (hurts). He was loving life in Newcastle, big move for him, but he'll be with the surgeon tonight."

The 22-time Venezuela international attacker had joined the Jets from AEK Athens in the off-season with big expectations.

Merrick added: "It's one of the worst, especially with the way he'd just come over with his wife and was settling in, he's a good lad."

The Jets coach spoke to his players briefly after Vargas was taken off, urging them to re-focus at 2-1 up.

"I just said we've got to re-focus," Merrick said. "There was alot of distraction there obviously.

"It was a pretty bad injury, some of the boys had seen it.

"They did a good job under very difficult circumstances."

The Newcastle coach's emotions summed up the attitude of the Jets, with several players posting tributes and well wishes to Vargas on social media after the game.

 

Feels like a loss tonight. Praying for @ronaldvargas10 for a speedy recovery, love you brother 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻😘😘😘

A post shared by Daniel Georgievski (@daniel.georgievski) on