Melbourne Heart can be expected to attack at will after a pulsating A-League match against Newcastle Jets on Saturday.

Heart coach John van 't Schip, who lured former Melbourne Victory playmaker Fred back to the windy city from the USA, has given Jason Hoffman a role alongside him in the midfield.

Hoffman was the provider for the first of Mate Dugandzic's two goals in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Jets, but van 't Schip said the former Newcastle schemer is still a work in progress.

"We played with him (Hoffman) there nearly all pre-season and he did very well," van 't Schip said.

"In the first half, coming from the midfield, he had a good run and a good assist for the first goal.