RADCLIFFE Borough legend Jody Banim re-signed for a third spell at the club this week with assistant manager Dave Powell hoping to revive his goalscoring glory days.

The 37-year-old striker, who set a national record scoring in 14 consecutive matches for Boro in 2003, was tempted to return to the Belvoir Stadium from Evo-Stik Premier Division side Ashton Athletic.

His arrival followed an injury to experienced frontman Steve Foster.

And Powell is hopeful Banim, who scored 97 goals in 125 appearances for Boro between 2001-03 and 12 goals in 24 games during a second spell in 2009-10, will be able to pick up where he left off.

"The hope is that he will do exactly what it says on the tin - score goals," said Powell.

"Obviously he is well known to everyone at the club, especially the chairman, so fans will know just what he is capable of.

"I had never seen him play, personally, before his signing, but from what I have seen in training he looks very sharp.

"Every side needs goals to win games, and that is what we have been lacking.

"But if Jody can replicate what I have seen in training, and I appreciate doing it in matches is a different matter entirely, then we should be okay."

Banim returned to the spotlight recently as Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy came close to matching his 14-goal record, before just falling short.

At the time, Boro chairman Bernard Manning Jnr described Banim as his favourite ever Boro player, and admitted he would happily bring him back to the club.

Since then, the club has been drawn against Banim's previous team in the Manchester Premier Cup quarter-finals.

The tie was postponed for a second time on Tuesday due to a waterlogged pitch.

But Powell admitted that fate lent a hand in the striker's return.

"I guess the Vardy story may have been partly behind the move," said Powell.

"It certainly put him in everyone's thoughts.

"The truth is though that (Boro manager) Danny (Johnson) knows him, and we both know the Ashton manager.

"We got talking after the cup tie was postponed and one thing led to another.

"It became clear that Jody was struggling to get into the Ashton side, who are flying high in the promotion places in the Premier Division, but that he had played a number of times for the reserves and had kept himself in good shape.

"The injury to Steve (Foster) also played its part. The idea is that Jody can fill his boots, provide us with much-needed experience and help bring on the younger lads in the squad."

Boro remain fourth-bottom in the Evo-Stik First Division North despite having their game at home to Kendal Town postponed last Saturday.

Their Doodson League Cup tie at home to Colwyn Bay on Tuesday also fell foul of a waterlogged pitch.

Attention will now turn to Saturday's visit of mid-table Witton Albion, with Banim in line to make his third debut for the club in that game, although it is understood he will not be available for Tuesday's rearranged Manchester Premier Cup tie at home to his former club.