Burns, who has been on loan with the Jets since the start of the season, returns to Korea today.

The 25-year old scored two goals in his time with Newcastle and again impressed last night against Melbourne Victory. Today the Jets have announced the return of club favourite Joel Griffiths for the rest of the season.

Van Egmond said Newcastle will hear from Burns’ Korean club Incheon United in “due time”.

“They’re keeping their cards pretty close to their chest,” the Jets mentor said.

“Of course we’d love to keep Nathan. Is it a case that we can? That’s out of our control. And you have to have plan B, C, D and that’s what the club has in place. So we’ll see.”

Burns headed overseas to join AEK Athens in 2008 and moved to Incheon in 2012. He has made just three appearances since joining the K-League outfit.

Van Egmond said the former Adelaide United forward has been excellent for the Jets.

“From his own admission if he was to stay, he’s probably going to get better and better,” he said.

“He hasn’t had the consistency of games. He hasn’t had the consistency of training – there’s better medical people here in Australia that can help him in regards to his knee.

“I think the more he gets that consistency of games and training it’s going to be better for him, not just in the short term but in the long term as well.

“But, we all live in a real world and money does dictate so there are pros and cons to everything.”

Van Egmond could see Burns pushing for a spot in the Socceroos World Cup squad for Brazil.

“What he does so well is he goes past players,” he said.

“He’s always able to create something. Whether he would be a starter or an impact player for the Australian team, you could see the real benefit for someone like Nathan being within the Australian mix.”