While declining to divulge the identity of the latest import to head to the Hunter, Stubbins said the player in question heralds from a nation represented at the looming FIFA World Cup and he is confident he will bring goals with him.

"A deal is being negotiated with a player from South America who we believe fits the bill for us," said Stubbins.

"We have a couple of little hurdles in dotting the i's and crossing the t's to overcome but hopefully that's a formality and we will be in position to announce something very soon.

"He has played for his national team at an early age and is from a country doing good things and he would be a good, solid signing for us.

"We believe that in tandem with Adam Taggart and Joel Griffiths he can be very effective.

â€œHe has pace. strength and would handle the rigours of the A-league with no problem."

The Latin target will not share anywhere near the same marquee wage structure as Heskey - who earned $1.4 million for his two-season stint with the Jets - with Stubbins saying any future 'marquee' signings will have to fit within the existing salary cap.

"We have a certain budget and it will be about trying to find players of marquee ability to fit within those limits," he said.

"They will not be on the same wages as Alessandro Del Piero commanded (during his two year spell with Sydney FC), that's for sure.

The Jets' last flirtation with a Latin American was six seasons ago when overweight - and over-the-hill - Brazilian Mario Jardel made 11 forgettable appearances to go down as one of the worst marquee signings in the league's short history.

Stubbins, however, insists he has done his homework and is confident if the swoop is successful there will be no regrets.

On the departure of 36-year-old Heskey, Stubbins said: "Emile was somebody who came and had a real impact at the club.

"You can only say good things about the guy as a person and as a professional but that said we have decided to take a different direction with the player we have in mind."

Stubbins is also looking for a playmaker to help feed the likes of his mystery import and Socceroos bolter Taggart, should he not move on to Europe in the off-season.

"Until something gets put on the table I am going along with the premise that he remains part of the squad," Stubbins said of the A-League Golden Boot, who will learn on Tuesday night whether he has made the final 23-man cut for the FIFA World Cup.

"Until we hear differently he stays with us and remains in the forefront of my thoughts on how are going to make ourselves a force offensively.

"Hopefully he will be in the final 23 - fingers crossed that happens for him."

Stubbins is also moving to fill a central defensive slot to replace the departed Connor Chapman, with former Western Sydney Wanderers skipper Michael Beauchamp firming as a possibility.

"We are close to finalising something for that position with the player we have in mind," he said.