Rory keen to impress Chesterfield

The Park Avenue winger has spent the week on trial at Saltergate, aiming to return to the professional fold.

A posse of scouts have attended Avenue games in recent weeks and the former York winger has consistently stood out with his blockbusting performances on the left.

And the player was delighted at the opportunity to show what he has got.

"All I can do is my best," said Prendergast, Avenue player of the month for September and October.

"I have been in this game long enough not to get my hopes up but I am hoping things work out.

"It is great to be training with a pro club again, I know a lot of the lads there and I am really enjoying it and doing my best to impress."

Prendergast has made no secret of the fact that he is desperate to return to the pro ranks and few who watch him deliver his precise crosses would doubt he has the ability.

He missed Wednesday's cup thriller with Spennymoor after appearing for the Division Two side's reserves against Wrexham at Saltergate. The game finished 1-1.

"I think I did pretty well," said Prendergast, who has also played at Oldham and Rochdale.

"I was blowing a bit towards the end. It is a much faster pace, but it was good to be playing with the other lads and I think I held my own."

And even if the Chesterfield opportunity comes to nothing, the optimistic youngster still believes he can get his dream switch.

"There are other clubs out there besides Chesterfield," he added.

"I still think I have got what it takes to perform on the bigger stage and I would be willing to go to any club to get another chance at full-time football."

Although Chesterfield are promising nothing at this stage, they do rate Prendergast highly.

"He appears to have a lot to offer," said a source at the club who recruited former Avenue midfielder Chris Brandon from Torquay in the summer.

"We are looking for a striker at the moment and there are two or three options. But we liked what we saw with Rory."