MELBOURNE Heart remains confident of securing Harry Kewell despite being left to sweat after his last-minute announcement backflip.

Kewell was due to record a TV interview in Manchester on Tuesday to confirm he'd signed for Heart, but withdrew just two hours before it was due to take place.



The next day he flew to Portugal.



Heart chief executive Scott Munn went to England to conclude the deal, but instead returned to Melbourne last night minus Kewell's signature.



It's believed interest from an overseas club may be a factor in Kewell delaying the announcement.



Newcastle Jets have long been courting Kewell, but yesterday confirmed that they'd pitched an offer to Kewell that the former Leeds United and Liverpool star rejected.



"Harry's credentials speak for themselves and we were obviously interested in discussing the possibility of him joining the Jets," Jets chief executive Robbie Middleby said.



"Negotiations progressed to an offer, but unfortunately Harry deemed it to be unsuitable for him and his family.



"We hope to see him playing in the A-League because having players of his calibre competing in our league benefits all clubs."



The offer from Heart is close to A-League minimum wage although there will be provisions for him to boost his salary.



Heart is banking on the Socceroos qualifying for the 2014 World Cup as Kewell is desperate to win his Socceroos spot back.



He was left out of the Socceroos squad for the upcoming matches against Japan, Jordan and Iraq despite playing a five-game stint with Al Gharafa in Qatar.



"I had a chat with Harry and explained why he wasn't included and he accepted that, but it is between him and me," Socceroos coach Holger Osieck said.



Kewell has been searching for a permanent club for the past year since he quit Melbourne Victory for family reasons.

