EVERGREEN Gary Jones may be on course for a return to Valley Parade next season – with League Two play-off champions Fleetwood.

The ambitious Lancashire side are preparing for their first-ever campaign in the third tier after a fairytale climb which has seen them promoted six times in ten years.

Boss Graham Alexander feels the Cod Army squad that pipped Burton in last month's Wembley decider is strong enough to compete at the next level.

But he is looking to add one or two more experienced faces and former City skipper Jones, with nearly 700 appearances under his belt, is believed to be on the Fleetwood radar.

Jones, who recently turned 37, is confident he has one more season in him after leaving the Bantams – where he played exactly 100 times in two years.

Meanwhile, Phil Parkinson has not ruled out the possibility of bringing in another "golden oldie" in his Valley Parade revamp.

The City chief said: "It's always good business to get players in and around that mid-20s age group as the core of the team to build on.

"But obviously there will be one or two exceptions. We had that with Gary Jones, who did such a fantastic job, and there might be another player of that ilk this year."

Veteran left back Adam Drury could fit that tag should City decide to make him a permanent offer after last season's 12-game loan stint.

Drury, a free agent after being released by Leeds, is likely to be one of the names under consideration as the club wait to hear whether James Meredith will sign his new deal.

Parkinson revealed that potential replacements have been sounded out while the Australian ponders his options.

Mat Sadler, who turned down the chance to stay at Crawley, and Notts County captain Alan Sheehan are others who could be in the mix.

Sadler has not missed a league game for four years – a remarkable run of over 200 on the bounce since January 2010. Steve Evans has played down rumours of Rotherham's reported interest in him.

Sheehan, a team-mate of new City recruit Gary Liddle at Meadow Lane, has been linked with Sheffield United.

SIMON PARKER