The club that dropped Tom Rogic off at Sydney Airport a year ago to embark on his foreign foray is hoping to pick him up from the arrivals gate later this month.

Central Coast Mariners will urge Rogic to value game time, rather than potential earnings, when he decides his next move as they hope to secure his signature before A-League rivals Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory do during the January transfer window.

The Socceroos star is exploring offers to return to the A-League in search of more game time before the World Cup. Fairfax Media understands the Mariners' pitch to sign their former playmaker will be built around the promise of a minimum of 18 domestic and continental games at a club that has a system of play tailored to his skill set.

A senior official at the club said the Mariners might struggle to compete with the marquee wages Sydney FC is said to be preparing to offer Rogic, but believed they would present the 21-year-old the best chance to earn a spot in the World Cup squad if fit and in form. Should Rogic join the Mariners next week, he will be eligible to play a minimum of 12 A-League games, six Asian Champions League games, including two matches against Japanese champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima, and up to three more games in the A-League finals series.