Despite putting together arguably his most impressive display to date (leaving aside a missed penalty) in the win over Melbourne Victory, there were whispers surrounding the club that the player was looking for the exit after failing to settle.

Zura has failed to score since arriving at the club and found himself on the end of some very public criticism from coach Gary van Egmond ahead of that match.

His failure to appear at Jets training on Sunday sent the rumour mill into overdrive but the coach said his striker had simply been ill.

Van Egmond told the Newcastle media last night that the rumours were news to him and that he fully expected Zura to attend today's session - an appearance confirmed to au.fourfourtwo.com this lunchtime.

Zura's next chance to end his goalscoring drought comes in this weekend's F3 derby when Newcastle travel to Central Coast Mariners on Friday night - a good occasion for any striker to make himself a favourite with his own fans.