FORMER York City star Wayne Hall could be returning to North Yorkshire to play under a former manager.

Hall, who was released by the Minstermen after 11 years at Bootham Crescent last summer, has now been targeted by Scarborough, who are managed by ex-City boss Neil Thompson.

It is understood Thompson has put in the statutory seven days' notice to UniBond League premier division side Gainsborough Trinity with whom Hall signed playing forms in the close season. The Boro leader would love to have Hall in harness for Saturday's Nationwide Conference opener to Forest Green Rovers.

Boro are in dire need of a left-back since youngster Danny Brunton broke his leg in a pre-season friendly and Thompson is only too aware of Hall's reliability in the number three slot. Indeed it was Hall who was principal rival to Thompson for the left-back role at Bootham Crescent during his brief reign as player-manager.

The 32-year-old Hall, who is fourth in the list of all-time appearances for the Minstermen with 438 games, interested several Conference clubs.

He had a brief trial with Boston United, but that ended when he injured a thigh. When Gainsborough offered him terms he joined the Lincolnshire-based club, whose ranks include one-time Sheffield United and Scarborough winger John Reed and ex-Hartlepool stopper Brian Linighan.

Updated: 11:22 Thursday, August 16, 2001