Clarke registered with the Magpies before Monday's cut-off and will join their top squad pending the approval of an injury waiver for Tom Duggan this week.

The defending premiers turned to Clarke, who had taken a step back to play with Hamilton Azzurri in Zone Football League this year, after Duggan was ruled out. Duggan was having breathing problems from a broken nose sustained last year and requires an operation.

Clarke played four seasons at Maitland and was one of their best last year in their maiden top-division premiership and grand final appearance. Magpies coach Michael Bolch said Clarke had played only a couple of games with Hamilton but he was confident he'd be ready.

"He always looks after himself, he's a gym junkie," Bolch said. "Realistically, he'll come back and give us an X-factor coming off the bench in the last 20, 30 minutes of games. We'll see how he progresses over the next few weeks and how his match fitness is, and see where he gets to.

"He's popular around the boys as well. The banter and all that will give us a lift around the changeroom. He brings a lot to the club.

"I know Clarkey, he is very competitive and he won't be happy with sitting on the bench for the next six or seven weeks. He will really want to prove himself and break into our starting side, which is great for competition for spots."

His return comes a week after the exit of former Jet Nick Cowburn, who has since registered with his junior club, Toronto Awaba, for the rest of this season in second-division.

Clarke was given a three-match suspension for abusing Northern NSW Football administrators after the 2-0 grand final loss to Edgeworth last year at Magic Park but the ban has been served with Hamilton Azzurri.

The other change to Maitland's player points system (PPS) roster is the promotion of Dylan Bozinovski to replace Cowburn.

Bolch said Bozinovski would provide cover for Andrew and Mat Swan in midfield.

The Magpies are third on 13 points after a comeback 2-1 win over Adamstown in round eight on Sunday. They face a resurgent Charlestown Azzurri, who are on 10 points, at Cooks Square Park this Sunday.

"We played some really good passages of play, kept the ball well but again we couldn't find the back of the net until the last 15 or 20 minutes," Bolch said of last Sunday's game.

"They were great individual strikes, but we've got to be doing better in build up.

"If you look at the two goals, one was from a free kick where Jimmy took a decent touch and got a great shot and then the other one was good pressure from Crowley and we scored on the turnover.

"I will be much happier seeing a couple of team goals involving five or six passes and someone on the end tapping the ball into the net."

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