Southend United boss Phil Brown has claimed that Nile Ranger is in "last-chance saloon" as the controversial striker attempts to reignite his career with the Essex club.
Ranger began his professional career at Newcastle United in 2009, representing the Magpies on 62 occasions before moving on to Swindon Town in 2013 and latterly Blackpool in 2014.
The 25-year-old has not played a first-team game since November 2014 amid a host of off-the-field problems, but he has been given the chance of impressing at Southend on a trial basis.
"He's a good lad, he's getting his head down and in sort of last-chance saloon if you like," Brown told BBC Essex. "He's been given an opportunity for by ourselves for a month to start off with and if we seen what we've seen in the last few days I'll be delighted.
"I've seen a lad whose application is first-class. He's got ability, that's without a shadow of a doubt unquestionable. But the downside to Nile is he's probably missed three or four pre-seasons of late. If you miss a pre-season you miss a chunk of the season.
"We've already tested him and found out what he's capable of, he's quick, can move, got ability with the ball, he's a big lad, we'll see all of that come together [because of pre -season]. Then, who knows? If he's earned the right to a contract he might be the guy who leads the line for us next year."
Ranger scored six times in 11 appearances for England's Under-19 team between 2009 and 2010.
Matt Law
