NEWCASTLE Jets coach Ernie Merrick believes Broadmeadow flyer James Virgili has earned a chance to revive his A-League career with the club after inviting the 25-year-old to be part of their July 4-10 pre-season tour of China.
Virgili, who last played in the A-League on January 3, 2015 when Newcastle drew 0-0 with Sydney, will feature as a trialist in an 18-man squad set to be announced next week for games against Chinese Super League clubs Beijing Guoan and Shanghai Shenhua in Haikou.
Later on, Ernie also says he looked at him when he was coaching the Nix but it didn't happen for some reason.