Jeff Whitley has battled personal problems away from football

Personal problems have disrupted the career of the Northern Ireland midfielder, 28, who has undergone rehabilitation for alcohol abuse.

Whitley joined Wrexham last February from Cardiff, playing a key role in the relegation battle but then went missing before the final match of the season.

"If I get the opportunity to play for Wrexham again I will grab it," he said.

Interview: Jeff Whitley

"The people here showed their faith in me, so I would be more than happy to come back and help out once again.

606: DEBATE If he can prove that he has sorted himself out then we have got to play him wrexham2007

"I really enjoyed being back at Wrexham last season and was delighted that it eventually turned out well for the club.

"It's such a shame that after last year's heartache the club is once again in the relegation mire, but I'm sure that it can be turned around."

Whitley's family moved to Wrexham from Zambia when he was young and, along with brother Jim, he played in the Wrexham Youth League before being taken on as a trainee at Manchester City.

Loan spells with Wrexham and Notts County followed for the 20-cap man, before moves to Sunderland, Cardiff and then loans with Stoke and Wrexham for a second time.

But Whitley's whole career has been played out to the backdrop of his personal demons, which he hopes he has now tamed.

"It's only when you are not in the game that you realise just how much you miss it," he told the Wrexham website.

"I've been putting my life back on the straight and narrow and now really just want to concentrate on my football.

"We will just have to see how this week goes, but I'm up for the challenge and feel sure that I have plenty to offer the club over the rest of the season."

Whitley turns 29 this month, with the hope that he has also turned a corner and may yet turn out to play an important role in Wrexham's Football League survival battle.