BIG Kevin Francis could be set to team-up with former team-mate Andy Preece in the next few weeks.

The giant striker - six foot seven inches in his stockinged feet - is hoping to train with the Shakers after being released by Stockport County at the end of the season.

Preece and the Birmingham-based goalscorer formed a formidable partnership with County in the early nineties, smashing in over 50 goals between them in the 1992-93 campaign alone.

However, question marks hang over the fitness of the frontrunner, who after an injury-hit two years at Oxford United joined County just before the transfer deadline.

He ruptured his left achilles against Manchester City after only three and a bit games, bringing an abrupt end to his second spell with the Edgeley Park outfit.

But after having a brace removed recently, Francis is due to see a specialist on June 19 when he is confident of getting the go-ahead to start running again.

Although he had hoped to spend another 12 months in the First Division with Andy Kilner's side, a move to Gigg Lane could be an attractive one to Francis, who is now 32.

Francis began his career with Brummie non-leaguers Mile Oak Rovers, but began his professional career after being spotted by Derby County.

He joined Stockport in 1991 for £60,000 and, over the next five years, became a great favourite with the County faithful, banging in over 100 goals - only the third player in the club's history to do so. Barry Fry, the then Birmingham City boss, paid £800,000 for his signature in January 1995, and he moved to the Manor Ground in February 1998 as part of the deal that took Darren Purse to St Andrew's.

He will be out of contract at the end of the month and Stockport County chairman, Brendan Ellwood, hasn't ruled out offering Francis a position at the club due to his high popularity ratio, but the player still harbours hopes to carry on his career on the field -- and that's where the Shakers could come in.

Francis hopes to be ready for action again by August, and would certainly have to prove his full fitness if Preece were to consider signing his former team-mate.