BLUES have offered Leeds former £2 million goalkeeper Shaun Allaway a lifeline.

The 22-year-old glovesman, who was dubbed Britain's brightest goalkeeper when he moved from Reading to Leeds United in 1999, has been given a week to earn his spurs at Wanderers.

He played in the reserves' 2-2 draw against QPR on Tuesday and saved a penalty only for the referee to order it to be retaken and he has now been offered a week's trial with John Gorman's table-toppers.

He said: "It's a great chance for me and I am determined to make the most of it. After being out of the professional game I am hungry to get back.

"I have still got faith in my ability. I know I need to get fitter but I really believe that given a chance I can make it."

Allaway, who has been playing in the Ryman League for Staines, says he is hungrier than ever to make the grade and get his up-and-down career back on the up again.

He appeared to have the world at his feet when he was snapped up by Leeds without ever having played a first team match for Reading, who he joined as a 13-year-old.

He said: "Going to Leeds was an amazing move for me at the time but it was very hard because a lot was expected of me."

Allaway, who played for England at all levels from U15s to U20s, was at Elland Road for five years and sat on the bench for them in the Premiership and had loan spells at Walsall and Grimsby.

But when the money ran out at Elland Road he was shown the door and ended up at QPR where again he was second choice.

He quit Loftus Road to sign for Slough Town, who wanted him for their televised FA Cup tie against Walsall. He took the gamble of dropping down because he thought the televised game would put him back in the shop window.

It did. Wrexham tried to sign him but Slough would not release him from the three-month contract he had just signed.

Because of that, he left The Rebels and started the season at Staines despite Conference clubs Tamworth and Gravesend wanting to offer him contracts.

He rejected their overtures because he did not want to be tied to a contract in case a League club came in for him and when that didn't happen he took matters into his own hands.

He wrote to several clubs before Christmas and was offered trials by Wycombe, Torquay and Shrewsbury.

He said: "I chose Wycombe because I have heard a lot of good things about the club and I knew John Gorman when he was at Reading.

"I think I'm good enough but now I've got to prove it."