Newcastle Jets coach Scott Miller has contacted Adam Taggart about a potential return to the Hyundai A-League but the Socceroos striker remains committed to Fulham for the time being.
The Jets confirmed on Tuesday that Miller - a former coach of Fulham's Under 21 side - spoke to Taggart to determine the 22-year-old's interest in returning to Hunter Stadium for the second half of the 2015-16 season.
But Taggart told Miller he wants to work at breaking into Fulham's senior side after a frustrating year-and-a-half in the United Kingdom.
With Fulham expected to unveil Slavisa Jokanovic as their new manager in the coming days, there could be opportunities for the likes of Taggart and fellow Aussie youngsters Ryan Williams and Cameron Burgess to prove themselves.
Since Taggart arrived in the UK for the 2014-15 season, the Perth-born striker has made just nine senior club appearances - all on loan at Dundee United this term.
A long-term groin problem marred his maiden season at Fulham.
Taggart's loan deal in Scotland ended this month.
In his final A-League season, Taggart won the A-League golden boot, scoring 16 goals in 25 games for the Jets and earned a spot in the Socceroos' squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where he made two appearances including a start against Spain.
But Ange Postecoglou has not turned to Taggart since Brazil, with the likes of Tomi Juric and Nathan Burns moving past him in the pecking order.
Meanwhile, Miller revealed defender Daniel Mullen could be available for Newcastle's Christmas Eve trip to leaders Western Sydney Wanderers.
"It's going to be close for Daniel but not a certainty," the Jets coach said.
"He's been very professional in his own rehab and his attention to detail, and that's the reason he's training this week.
"He's actually a week ahead of schedule, which is very pleasing, and it shows his determination to get back and help the team."
But the news is not so good for Brazilian playmaker Leonardo, with Miller hinting the 32-year-old's knee injury may need a long-term solution rather than just "management".
"We need to ascertain where he's [Leonardo] at - at this point it's a management phase and he's recovering well," Miller said.
"But it's just a case of getting him out there more often.
"So in the next three to four days, if he doesn't recover completely, we'll look further down the line in terms of diagnosis."