FORMER Prestwich schoolboy Gareth Thornley was named on the bench for UniBond Premier League side Leek Town against Lincoln United recently, after international clearance was received to play in the UK following his return from the USA.

Twenty-one-year-old Thornley has been on a football scholarship in the States and was given the chance to stake a claim for a place with a good workout in the friendly at Norton United.

Gareth is due to return to the USA in mid-January to complete his scholarship, which ends in April.

He is a former pupil of St. Monica's High School and has played for the Preston North End, Blackpool and Accrington Stanley youth sides.