Simpson is a product of the City academy

Cambridge City manager Gary Roberts has revealed local rivals Cambridge United are interested in re-signing midfielder Josh Simpson.

Simpson came close to securing a move to United's Blue Square Premier rivals Histon, but a fee could not be agreed.

League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge have also made contact with City regarding Simpson.

"I think it's a pretty strong possibility," he told BBC Cambridgeshire.

Simpson joined City as a youngster and showed enough promise to secure a move to United for the 2006-07 season.

But he returned to Milton Road last season in search of more regular first-team football and was a virtual ever-present in the City side.

I think they'll get a very, very good player back if they took him and one that would certainly more than hold his own at that level Cambridge City boss Gary Roberts

"I think a lot of fans didn't see the best of him when he was over there," he said.

"I think they'll get a very, very good player back if they took him and one that would certainly more than hold his own at that level."

City play United in a friendly match celebrating their centenary on Tuesday evening and Roberts believes manager Gary Brabin will be keen to run his eye over Simpson.

"That's a fantastic opportunity for Gary [Brabin] to have a good look at him in a competitive fixture against his own side and see what a talented player he is," he said.