CHAIRMAN Barry Norgrove has not given up hope that goal-scoring hero Lee Hughes will play for Harriers in the Blue Square Premier this season, although he admits it's a long-shot.

The 34-year-old free agent is currently training with his old club, while trying to secure a deal with a Football League team.

Last week, Hughes turned down a move to Notts County and played in a Harriers' pre-season friendly against Stourport Swifts at Walshes Meadow.

However, the chairman is set to offer Hughes the chance to play for the Aggborough on a non-contract basis, if he does not tie up a deal by the start of the Football Conference on Saturday, August 8.

The move may not appeal to the hitman, who moved to West Bromwich Albion for £350,000 in 1997 from Harriers, as he is eager to return to the Football League after scoring 25 goals in League One for Oldham during a two-year spell.

Norgrove said: "We hope to sit down and have a chat with Lee. He's already said that he will play in some of the friendlies while he's here.

"At the moment he hasn't signed for anyone and so I am still hoping that he may feature for us in the Conference.

"I know there are several clubs after him but so far nothing has happened.

"Clubs are tightening their belts at the minute and that is having an effect.

"If he doesn't get a move to a club then we'd like him to play for a us on a non-contract basis.

"Obviously, it's all down to him finding a club, if he doesn't then we'd love to have him here because potentially there's a great partnership between Lee and Matthew Barnes-Homer."