Sutton United striker Bradley Woods-Garness reckons the best way to celebrate his release from jail would be to bring the Blue Square South title to Gander Green Lane.

The 25-year-old was last week cleared of attempting to take revenge on the key witness in a murder trial, ending a six month spell at Her Majesty's pleasure in Wandsworth and Pentonville prisons.

Woods-Garness, a former England schoolboy international and Chelsea trainee, hit 16 league and cup goals as United won the Ryman Premier League title last term, but was arrested in June after the incident on a night out in Liverpool in May.

United boss Paul Doswell had backed the former Barnet striker and left a place in his squad for Woods-Garness until his release.

Now the frontman is determined to repay his manager's faith by delivering more silverware to Gander Green Lane this term, while getting his football career - and his life - back on track.

And an emotional home coming in the FA Cup second round clash with Notts County is top of his agenda.

"I can't say enough about Paul and what he has done for me. He could have let me go. He could have brought some other players in to replace me and then I don't know where I'd be," he said.

"I could have lost everything, but because of him I have something to come back to. A way to earn some money and get my life back together.

"Football is my job. It is my life.

"The club backed me 100 per cent. The players have been there for me. Some have visited me and it is so nice to see a friendly face.

"It is going to take time to get fit. I'm the sort of person that needs games to do that.

"I've watched the team's results and seen their cup run on television. If I could be involved in the Notts County game in some way that would be a dream come true.

"When I score my first goal it is going to be so emotional. Hopefully, I can do it at home in front of the fans that have supported me."

Woods-Garness, who lives in Islington, was part of the Barnet squad that won promotion to League Two in 2005 and celebrated with Sutton in Spain after they won the Ryman Premier League crown in April.

The former Farnborough and Billericay Town frontman, who watched Saturday's 0-0 draw at Dorchester Town, is hoping to be fit for action within the next four weeks.

And believes elevation to the Blue Square Premier is a realistic aim.

"It is going to be great to get back in training with the lads," he added.

"I am going to have to train on my own for a while and just do some running because I haven't been able to do much.

"I've won a few things in my career and it would be marvellous to add a Blue Square South winners medal to that and I think there is every chance we can do that this season."

For the full interview with Sutton's Bradley Woods-Garness, see tomorrow's Sutton Guardian and Friday's Surrey Comet.