Former York City player-manager Neil Thompson is to take a watching brief tonight as he mulls over a possible move to neighbours Scarborough.

The former Ipswich Town and Barnsley left-back - who left City by mutual agreement on February 9 - has been invited to watch the Seasiders in action for their Nationwide Conference encounter at Altrincham.

Both Boro manager Colin Addison and Thompson, who was a key member of the Scarborough side that won promotion to the Football League in 1987, confirmed they held talks last week.

Speaking to the Evening Press, Thompson admitted he was eager to make a swift return to football but on the playing side in the short term.

However, he is currently hampered by a hamstring injury sustained in his last appearance for City in the 1-0 defeat at Mansfield.

Thompson, who has been receiving treatment for the injury at City's Third Division rivals Hull, said: "I am not going to do anything until I am fit and the hamstring has cleared up.

"But having spoken to Scarborough what they said and what I said seems to fit.

"In the long term, playing is not really the option although you never know but coaching and managing is.

"The problem is of course is that coaching and managing jobs are few and far between."

Thompson revealed he has also been doing some scouting for his former club and First Division promotion candidates Ipswich.

"I have had a few telephone calls from here and there and I am just taking stock of it all but it has certainly been a different couple of weeks," he said.

"It is disappointing what happened but that is football, that is life and you have just got to get on with it."

Scarborough have rejected a cash-plus player offer from rivals Doncaster Rovers for former Halifax Town and York City striker Chris Tate.

Rovers were understood to be willing to pay £35,000 with two players in exchange but Addison has turned down the bid.

Altrincham meanwhile, have no less than nine of their first team squad sidelined through injury.

However, between the posts will be 'keeper Lance Key who enjoyed the briefest of spells at Bootham Crescent on loan from Sheffield Wednesday and has signed for the Robins on a three month loan deal from Northwich Victoria.

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