Malone targets EFL return after non-League spell

Four years ago, Scott Malone was starting another season in the Championship with Millwall. Now, the left-back has begun this campaign playing in the seventh tier and training with other out-of-contract professionals.

But the 35-year-old said he is not winding down his career; merely keeping himself tuned up for a return to League Two, having played there last season for Crawley Town.

"I'd like to think I was a massive part of them keeping their EFL status," he told BBC Radio Sussex.

"League Two is where I can still play well at, but obviously that's not down to me - someone in League Two is going to have to want to sign me."

To keep himself sharp, Malone joined Isthmian Premier Division side Three Bridges, his local club and a short bus ride from Crawley's Broadfield Stadium.

He made an almost immediate impact, scoring a late equaliser away at Dulwich Hamlet in the second match of a three-game spell.

His stay only ended because Football Association rules meant that if he played beyond transfer deadline day, he would not be able to sign for a professional club until the window reopened in January.

So Malone is now on a training camp for free agents, run by the Professional Footballers' Association, alongside his old Huddersfield Town team-mate Elias Kachunga, ex-Preston North End midfielder Daniel Johnson and former Crystal Palace and Wales midfielder Jonny Williams.

And although he and Crawley could not agree terms on a new contract in the summer, resulting in his release, Malone said he would happily return if an acceptable offer was on the table.

"I see it as my club," the former Fulham, Cardiff City, Derby County and Gillingham defender said.

"They've brought a lot of younger players in and I do think they lack that little bit of experience. If they phoned me next week, 100% I'd go back.

"Half the reason I went to Three Bridges is to say: 'I'm here, I can still do it, I'm not done yet.'

"The window's closed, so it's literally just down to free agents if anyone wants anyone. It's a waiting game, for the time being."