FORGOTTEN man George Purcell will be given an opportunity to resurrect his York City career if he is unable to secure a satisfactory move elsewhere.

Former Ebbsfleet forward Purcell, signed from Braintree last summer by then City manager Martin Foyle, was restricted to one 25-minute outing for the Minstermen in 2010/11 and spent the second half of the season on loan to Dartford and Eastbourne, scoring three goals in 17 matches for the relegated Sussex side.

But the 23-year-old attacker still has a year left on his City contract and boss Gary Mills is ready to offer him a chance to impress despite the likes of Jamie Reed, Liam Henderson, Ashley Chambers, Matty Blair and Jamal Fyfield already competing for places in a likely three-pronged strikeforce.

About Purcell, who broke his leg after a substitute outing in City’s second game of last season at Grimsby, Mills said: “I’ve had a chat with George and, if a club comes along that’s right for him and for us because we paid a fee for him, then I would consider letting him move on.

“He was injured when I came to the club and then he went out on loan so I’ve not really seen a great deal of him but I’ve told him if nothing comes about that suits both of us then he will be coming back for a fresh start to prove what he’s about.”

With Purcell, Mills has 14 players for next season – Matty Blair, Andre Boucaud, Chambers, Fyfield, Henderson, Michael Ingham, Scott Kerr, David McGurk, James Meredith, Daniel Parslow, Reed, Chris Smith and Jonathan Smith the others.

Targeting a senior squad of 18 or 19 senior, the City boss added: “I missed out on one player over the weekend but I’d like three or four more still – maybe another defender, two midfielders and perhaps a second ’keeper.”

Mills remains open-minded about bringing Ben Purkiss back to the club after he spent last season at Oxford United, where he is now on the transfer list.

The City chief said: “I am aware he’s available and we will see what develops.”