MIDFIELDER Ashley Nicholls has revealed that he could be a part of the Magpies’ plans next season.

Nicholls played twice for Dorchester towards the end of last term while dual registered with Maidenhead, that after originally leaving the Avenue in May 2013.

The former Bromley, Eastleigh and Grays playmaker, who is close to completing a PhD in cancer biology, is currently without a club.

And the 33-year-old has told Echosport that he would like to play for Dorchester again, even if only his travelling expenses were covered.

“I’ve spoken to Jem and left it with him now,” he said. “We’ll wait and see what happens.

“If the club could cover my travelling costs then Dorchester would be ideal.

“The lads there are all nice and there is a friendly atmosphere at the club.

“I enjoyed playing for Jem last season because he is someone who knows football.

“I would’ve liked to have played more but my manager at Maidenhead said he needed me, and then I ended up only playing about 20 minutes for them.”

Nicholls also made it clear that his career off the football pitch would have a big say on his involvement with any side next season.

He added: “I would just come and play for petrol money but it’s going to have to be on my terms at the moment because of my work.

“It’s not fair on the other lads if I say I’m going to fully commit to it and then keep pulling out.”

In the end, Nicholls was only able to play in Dorchester’s home draw with Frome and their away defeat to Cambridge in the end-of-season run-in.

And after playing alongside player-manager Jermyn in his first spell with the club, Nicholls got to see the former’s skills in the dugout.

“It usually takes a few years for someone in Jem’s position to settle into management,” he added.

“But sometimes you get new managers like Jem who do really well when they go into that side of things."