Jets trial Peter Zois as replacement for Ante Covic

FORMER Willem II goalkeeper Peter Zois will begin a three-day trial at the Newcastle Jets today after coach Gary van Egmond admitted he was tired of waiting for out-of-contract Ante Covic to decide his future.
The Jets offered Covic a two-year deal in October, but the fringe Socceroo has not given them an answer and has since been linked with Sydney FC and two Japanese clubs.
Since tabling the deal with Covic, the Jets have lost captain Jade North to Korean club Incheon United as well as Adam Griffiths (Gold Coast United) and almost certainly James Holland (AZ Alkmaar).
Van Egmond is keen to retain Covic, but he needs to start finalising a squad with the Asian Champions League looming.
"What we need to do is prepare," van Egmond said.
"We have made an offer to Ante. At this stage he has not got back to us. In that respect we don't know if he is interested or not interested.
"If it is a case where he is hedging his bets then we need to do the same. We need to cover our bases.
"If this boy is good and he ticks all the boxes, it will be a case of we move on him and let Ante go."
Zois, 30, is from Melbourne but has spent the past six years playing in the Dutch first division, mainly as a back-up keeper.
He made 23 appearances in four seasons at Willem II from 2003 to 2007. Before that he had two seasons at NAC Breda, earning three first-team games.
He returned to Melbourne this year and has joined Victorian Premier League club Altona Magic.
"He has been in a full-time environment, which is important in regard to being able to cope," van Egmond said.
"We just want to have a look at him and see what he is like."