Usain Bolt nearing 6-week trial with Australia's Central Coast Mariners

Shaun Mielekamp, chief executive of the A-League's Central Coast Mariners in Australia, is confident of structuring a deal to bring world-renown sprinter Usain Bolt to Gosford on a six-week trial.

The Jamaican is a passionate supporter of Manchester United, and has previously trained with the Bundesliga's Borussia Dortmund and Norwegian outfit Stromsgodset. Bolt is also a regular on the charity game circuit.

"We've been working for about four or five months on this," Mielekamp admitted to Sunrise. "Every day it got a little bit closer. It's a little bit surreal, we've still got a bit more work to do, and fingers crossed things might play out. The most important thing is that we find out a way to see how good he is as a footballer first."

Mielekamp suggested the club wouldn't act on its interest if Bolt shows he isn't up to standard while on trial, but said he appreciates that the 31-year-old's presence would boost attendance figures.

"The reports have been pretty good from Borussia Dortmund in Germany and the clubs over in Norway where he's trialled, and also (from) his guest appearance at a match over in the UK," Mielekamp continued. "The reports are saying that every time he trains he improves significantly, so he's an extremely fast learner."

There's already a Manchester United link at the Mariners, with former assistant manager Mike Phelan being installed as sporting director on Sunday.

In an interview with News Corp, gathered by Rachel Clun of The Sydney Morning Herald, Mielekamp insisted that "this is a very real football opportunity, this is not a stunt or gimmick - we want to know if Usain can play."