THE door is open for FA Trophy hero Andy Bond to seal his return to Holker Street.

But the 29-year-old midfielder still has work to do in proving his worth to Bluebirds boss Darren Edmondson.

Bond played for AFC between 2006 and 2010 – his last Barrow appearance was in the 2010 FA Trophy final win over Stevenage at Wembley.

After departing Football League side Stevenage at the end of last season, he is back on trial with Barrow – emerging as a second-half substitute in their goalless home draw against pre-season opponents Leeds United on Saturday.

Edmondson hopes Bond will train with AFC ahead of Saturday’s National League curtain-raiser against Dover Athletic.

The manager said: “We’ll have a look at Andy this week, and if he wants to come in, he lives quite close to where we train (Lancaster University) so it’s ideal for both of us.

“If he shows what we know he’s done previously, then you’re always open to trying to improve.

“We’re always looking and he wanted to come in and get a bit of fitness so we said we’d have a look at him for a few days and then we’ll just talk to him again on Monday and see where we go this week.”

There are no guarantees Bond will be offered a contract at his stage.

Edmondson will be able to make a better judgment on the issue once the midfielder has boosted his fitness levels, having had to work on his own during pre-season.

Any decision may not be taken this week, with Bond still in the process of getting fully back up to speed.

“We’ll have a bit more of a look at him in training, see where his levels are fitness-wise and then go from there,” added Edmondson.

“But he looked pretty fit in there today, he was quite comfortable in there.”

Bond joined Barrow in 2006 – when the club were managed by Phil Wilson – after being released by Crewe Alexandra.

He left the Bluebirds to link up with League One Colchester, where he chalked up 118 league appearances. Last season, he enjoyed 20 League Two outings for Stevenage.

Edmondson said: “He’s got the experience and played at a higher level over the last few years.

“He did very well going from box-to-box when he was here, he scored some decent goals for the club and he’s a generally good combative midfielder. So he brings experience.

“That’s why we thought we’d have a look for a few days and he was happy to do that so we’ll see where we go.”

Edmondson is in the market for a striker but insists he does not need to rush his search as he can swoop any time this month to ensure he snares the right target.

And the boss is reassured by this options at right-back, despite former contract target Matt Young leaving the club.

Niall Cowperthwaite operated at right-back against Leeds and was replaced by recently-signed young Barrovian Brad Carroll.

Dave Symington, who will pen an AFC deal soon, can also play at right-back, and Edmondson, said: “Niall did very well again today – he’s extremely fit now, he’s looked after himself well and he’s learning the game very well.

“He’s excellent in different positions and I think he can grow into it.

“He’s just got to keep believing in himself and continue to pick up the proper defensive positions at times.

“Young Brad Carroll has done very well in training and so he might just be the back-up that we need. He’s a young kid but he’s tall, strong and his physique is excellent – he’s probably above his years fitness-wise.

“He’s done very well, we’ve been very impressed with him.”

With regards to the prospect of hunting for a new right-back, he added: “I’m not totally ruling it out, because Niall can play other positions.

“We’ll just see how we go again this week and if anybody becomes available we’ll look at it.”