Stafford Rangers manager Steve Bull insists the door is still open for striker David McNiven – if he can get back to his best.

The much-travelled 30-year-old endured a disappointing 2007/08 in his first full season as a Rangers player and was promptly farmed out on loan to Farsley Celtic, shortly after Bull arrived as manager.

His time at Farsley, with three goals in six appearances, reminded some of why Stafford were so keen to sign him in the first place, after a highly successful loan spell from Morecambe during Rangers’ 2006/07 promotion season from the Blue Square North.

Club and player now find themselves back in non-league’s second tier, with a year left on McNiven’s contract as one of the highest paid players at Marston Road.

Still, this is a player of vast experience and prowess in the box, so the message from Bull is clear: A fit and firing David McNiven is worth having.

Bull said: “I have not closed the door on anyone. David still has a year on his deal and, if he can show me in pre-season what he can do, he has a chance.

“What I want is 11 players out on that field who will give their all for Stafford Rangers. Anything else just will not do and that is it. The fans will see that next season.

“If he is not committed, he will loaned out until his contract ends. It is as simple as that.

“But he will be given a chance.”