Gillingham trialist Alistair John is relishing the chance to earn another crack at professional football less than a year after being stabbed.The former Charlton winger had just signed for Stevenage - then managed by Gills boss Mark Stimson - when he was stabbed outside his south London home in September - and he later suffered hospital superbug c-diff which further hampered his recovery.

But the 20-year-old has spent the summer on trial at Priestfield and is likely to be given the chance to prove his fitness before Stimson makes a decision on signing him.

And John told KentOnline: "I'm grateful that he (Stimson) has given me another chance. After what happened not many would and I need to try and prove to him that I can still do it.

"It's a very short career and unfortunately that happened to me but I'm just grateful to be alive and still trying to make a living in the game."

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