Former York City star Marco Gabbiadini is locked in talks with two Third Division clubs to get him back in the shop window, writes Tony Kelly.

Gabbiadini confirmed he had twice met Darlington boss David Hodgson, who is keen to take the striker to Feethams before the start of next season.

The forward, whose second spell at Bootham Crescent ended with his release after just a handful of injury-interrupted appearances, added that he had also been approached by another basement club.

"I've had a couple of tickles from both clubs. It's early days yet, but I expect I'll make a decision quite quickly," said the 30-year-old Gabbiadini, who declined to reveal who the Division Three rival was to Darlington.

"Both seem to be young ambitious managers, who realise I had a quiet year last year, but know what I can do.

"They seem willing to give me a go, because, as I said when I came back to York, all I want to do is to be playing.

"They realise that we would be using each other. For me it will be like a stepping-stone."

Gabbiadini returned three months ago to Bootham Crescent, where he first made a startling impact in the mid-1980s before big-money moves totalling more than £3 million ferried him to Sunderland, Crystal Palace and Derby County.

He came back 'home' to City after a gap of 11 years from Stoke City, but his appearances were limited to just five starts with two others as substitute after he was injured in his first outing against then leaders and eventual champions Watford.

But before the end of the season City boss Alan Little confirmed there was no place for him as a Minsterman.

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