Though 30 months have passed since Antonio 'Paulito' Trigo picked up a groin injury, the lanky defender-cum-midfielder still believes he can get back into competitive football as he is confident that he has now recovered completely.

The Mozambican picked up the injury while doing duty for Mamelodi Sundowns whom joined in 2004 after a long stint with Manning Rangers that began in 1998.

"I really want to get back into the game," Trigo tells KickOff.com.

"Though I am not attached to any club I am fully recovered. I can feel I really need to get a chance at a club where I will do what I have always done.

"I last trained with Wits to build up my strength and try to catch up on fitness. I've been doing personal training and keeping fit with amateurs from the area in which I stay, but I need to be with a more competitive unit now.

"I would not mind joining a First Division outfit because during the Nedbank Cup I began to realise that some of them are just as good as their PSL opponents."

Born in Mozambique but now a naturalised South Africa Trigo, due to turn 32 in September, admits the only doubts he has is the fact that hasn't played for a long time.

"When I watch local football matches I can see that it is only the pace that is high, but the quality of the football is not a problem. If you are an intelligent player you can always play in the competitive leagues," says Trigo.