MATT Jurman has all but decided he will leave Brisbane, but Roar coach Rado Vidosic is adamant the disgruntled defender is in the right frame of mind to start against Newcastle at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.

Jurman is set to be recalled to the Roar's starting side in the likelihood that at least one, if not both, of Matt Smith and Ivan Franjic make the cut when national coach Holger Osieck trims the Socceroos' squad to 20 players for the East Asian Cup qualifiers starting this weekend in Hong Kong.

Unsatisfied with Jurman's early-season form, Vidosic has used regular rightback Franjic as Smith's central defensive partner in Brisbane's past two matches.

It is the second season in a row that Jurman has failed to seal his spot in Brisbane's starting XI, having been overtaken by the since departed Mohamed Adnan in the Roar's successful 2011-12 campaign.

Jurman is understood to be unhappy with his treatment and criticism of his performances, believing he has unfairly been made the scapegoat for Brisbane's recent woes.

The Roar's title defence is in disarray, with Brisbane's having lost five of their eight matches this season to be only a point ahead of cellar dwellers Sydney FC, Jurman's former club.

His agent Terry Palapanis said there were ongoing discussions taking place between Jurman and the Roar.

"In general, the longer it takes, the more it affects players," Palapanis said before tipping that Jurman would warm to the task of keeping star Jets striker Emile Heskey quiet.

"If he (Jurman) starts, I think he'll be the best player on the park, without putting any pressure on the kid."

Vidosic has not given up hope Jurman will stay in Brisbane, but said that if the soon-to-be 23-year-old centre-back wanted to leave the Roar, he had to impress potential suitors by playing well when given an opportunity.

The Roar coach was satisfied with the Jurman's 20-minute effort off the bench in Brisbane's 2-1 weekend loss to Central Coast Mariners in Gosford.

"It was important that Matty got that time under his belt because he's going to start against the Jets," Vidosic said. "I'm confident that he will do a good job for us."

Vidosic is yet to decide who will partner Jurman in the heart of Brisbane's defence should both Smith and Franjic go to Hong Kong. The contenders are Japanese import Yuji Takahashi, James Donachie and Australian under 20 international Jason Geria.

Up front, Nick Fitzgerald James Meyer, Do Dong-Hyun, Rocky Visconte and Mitch Nichols are all contenders to replace Ben Halloran the Roar's other representative in the provisional Socceroos squad should the former Gold Coast United star avoid Osieck's axe.

Originally published as Fuming Jurman heading for exit