FATE and timing - factors that can have as much influence on a sportsman's career as talent and determination - have conspired to pitch Paul Warhurst into a derby duel with the team he has supported since his childhood.

The Stockport-born Wanderer, whose rejection by his beloved Manchester City turned out to be the making of his career, has emerged from an injury nightmare to play himself back in contention for an emotional return to Maine Road.

His appearance in the draw against Chelsea on Saturday was only his fourth start of the season but, with City on the horizon, his recovery from a troublesome groin injury could not have been timed better.

A true Blue, he is desperate to play in a game that could be his last chance to play at the ground where he emerged from the junior ranks.

City will move to the new City of Manchester Stadium at the end of the season and Warhurst is hoping to bid a winning farewell to the famous old stadium.

"My recall to the side couldn't have come at a better time," he says. "I'd love to play at Maine Road, especially as it will be my last chance.

"I was very happy to get 90 minutes under my belt again on Saturday and I feel fine.

"I played the whole of the reserve game against Newcastle last week as well so I'm fit and raring to go again. There has been no hint of the groin injury that has been worrying me. That's all behind me now.

"I am not a good patient when I'm injured so it's been a tough time for me being out of the side for so long, especially as results have not been too good.

"I wanted to be involved so I could help."

Warhurst joined City from school in 1986 and turned professional in 1988. But four months later, Blues' boss Mel Machin sold him to Oldham for £10,000.

Rejection was difficult to come to terms with, but Warhurst never looked back and built a big reputation for himself at Boundary Park and Sheffield Wednesday before a £2.7m move to Blackburn, where he helped Rovers win the 94-95 Premiership title.

When he arrived at the Reebok in November 1998 - initally on loan then in an £800,000 premanent deal - Colin Todd rated him one of the best players never to have won a full England cap,

A big believer in fate, Warhurst recalls the day when his dreams of City glory were shattered: "It was the biggest decision of my life to leave Maine Road but Oldham wanted me and it seemed that City didn't, so I went there.

"I was very disappointed. It was such a wrench and I had a tough time. But looking back it was fate that I went there (Oldham) because everything worked out so well for me."

"My last game there was for Sheffield Wednesday way back in 1994.

"I know my return to the side was probably helped by the injuries we've got at the moment but I've got to hope I did enough to impress the boss to have a chance of being selected again."