FORMER Bury midfielder Terry Dunfield could kick-start his football career at Worcester City.

Dunfield, 23, will train with City as he bids to complete a comeback more than a year after breaking his kneecap.

The Canadian netted the second goal for City's reserves on Wednesday evening in a 3-1 Central Conference Cup victory at Alfreton Town.

That was his first full 90-minute outing since damaging his kneecap and sustaining ligament damage during a league match between Bury and Leyton Orient in January 2005.

During his Gigg Lane reign, Worcester boss Andy Preece signed Dunfield from Manchester City and the Vancouver-born international made 70 appearances for the Shakers.

Dunfield is hoping to clinch a Football League return and is also training with Macclesfield Town.

He may, however, ignite his career at St George's Lane, mirroring the fortunes of fellow Canadian Justin Thompson.

Preece insists the player's welfare comes first and describes any future first-team appearances from Dunfield as a bonus.

"Terry's been out for nearly a year. He broke his kneecap and is just making his way back," said Preece.

"We are giving him an opportunity to get himself fit and if anything more develops, then that would be a bonus. If circumstances are right for both parties, then something might happen.

"Once he's fit, he would like to get back into the Football League. That may well happen for him.

"It's obviously a long road back for him. That reserve game was his first game back. It's just a matter of him getting himself fit and right. I still think it's a few weeks before he will be properly fit. He's just got to take it steady."

Preece added: "But there's players I'm hoping to get back in the next couple of weeks, especially Jai Stanley and Graham Hyde. They are important midfield players for us."