Sydney FC's search for a foreign left back could be close to an end with the Sky Blues in negotiations to sign former West Ham defender George McCartney.

Sydney held preliminary talks directly with the Northern Irishman with a view to bringing him to the harbour city as their fourth visa player for the coming season. Discussions have been informal thus far and a deal is yet to be signed but McCartney is one of several left-sided defenders on Sydney's wish list and it is understood the club expects to know whether the former English Premier League defender will be interested in a move to the A-League by the end of the week.

McCartney, 33, has been on the search for a new team since parting ways with the East London club at the end of his contract on June 30 and has caught the attention of the Sky Blues, who are still looking for an experienced full-time left back to complete their roster.

Sydney will increase their pursuit of McCartney now the European transfer deadline is closed. It is understood the harbour city club is keen on signing the former Hammer but there may be a potential stumbling block to its salary cap constraints in place for the coming season.

McCartney spent 16 years playing in England, predominantly with West Ham, Leeds and Sunderland. He made more than 175 appearance for the Black Cats either side of a spell at West Ham before returning to the Hammers later in his career and playing over 130 games at Upton Park and 32 games during a loan spell with Leeds United.

He was an international for Northern Ireland and played alongside former Sydney FC captain Terry McFlynn in the country's youth teams in 2000 and 2001.

Left back is a position the club has struggled to cover in past years as many players deputised in that role with varied results, including winger Ali Abbas, central defender Matt Jurman and midfielder Rhyan Grant. Jurman and highly rated teenager Alex Gersbach are the two front-runners for that role on the present roster but coach Graham Arnold has publicly stated his desire to sign another full-time left back to provide more options throughout the season.

Meanwhile, Sydney FC will open ticket sales on Wednesday morning for their opening match of the season against the newly rebranded Melbourne City. The club has announced a presale only for their members before opening tickets for the general public on Friday.

"We anticipate that the demand for this game will be huge, so we are giving our members and supporters an extra couple of weeks to purchase," Sydney FC chief executive Tony Pignata said.