MARCO Gabbiadini's return of the hero dream is over.

The striker, whose second spell at York City was seen as critical to a full-power tilt at the play-offs, has been discarded by his first club.But the 30-year-old Gabbiadini insisted there was plenty of life left in him and he was determined to prove the Minstermen wrong.

Manager Alan Little confirmed City would not be offering Gabbiadini a fresh contract once his current short-term deal ends in June.

Said the City boss: "We are not keeping him. It's sad things have not worked out. I cannot justify a contract for Gabbiadini - that's it."Manager and striker met this week after the former England 'B' striker did not even figure on the bench in the last three City matches.

He began his return spell at Bootham Crescent with a bang against then leaders Watford just over two months ago.

Little agreed Gabbiadini starred in that 1-1 draw with Watford during which the forward suffered a nasty ankle ligament injury.

"Injury has hampered him as well," said the City boss. "But we have not seen enough for him to earn a contract.

"We took a chance on him and gave him a go for three months. It just hasn't happened here again for him."

The cast-off Gabbiadini, who arrived in a fanfare of anticipation, was dismayed by the rejection.

He said: "I feel I have been a victim of injury, but that's part and parcel of football. But I don't believe I have become a bad player overnight. It's an old adage but it's true.

"I still have a lot to offer and hopefully York will realise they have made the wrong decision next season."

Gabbiadini arrived in a fanfare of anticipation. Little swooped to snatch the striker - seeking to rebuild his career from the exile of Stoke City's reserves - restoring him to the club where it all started 13 years earlier leading to moves totalling more than £3million to Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Derby County and Birmingham.

Gabbiadini gave a man-of-the-match display in his roughed-up debut against Watford. He recalled: "After the way I started, even in the manager's comments, I would have thought he rated me as a player.

"But I got injured in the Watford game and being too honest I persevered in playing when I should have come off at half-time."He missed the next match at Bristol City with the debilitating ankle ligament injury. Though he returned and scored in the 2-1 win at Brentford he did not look fully fit.

After ineffective outings against Wycombe and Wigan, Gabbiadini was ordered to rest again. However he made just one more start and one more appearance from the bench before slipping out of contention over the past three weeks.

"The biggest disappointment is that I have had one game since I coming back from injury," said Gabbiadini. "It looks as if I have been judged on that one game, but when you look back at Watford and Brentford I thought I did well."

The striker, who confirmed he would continue to be based in York where he has recently bought a new house, said he had already written to other clubs announcing his availability.

"I came to York to be playing regularly and that's what I need. With my experience and everything I am sure people will be interested. I am not finished."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.