Ex-Peterborough United star Marcus Maddison was humble, decent and looked in great shape when playing for Peterborough Sports at the weekend

Maddison contacted the area’s leading non-league club last week asking if he could spend part of pre-season with them while he searches for another club.

The 26 year-old left Posh after 249 appearances and 61 goals in January, initially joining Championship side Hull City on loan before becoming a free agent at the end of last season.

He is now seeking a new club with League One giants Sunderland - his hometown club - believed to be among his suitors.

Maddison trained with Sports last Thursday and then played the first-half of Saturday’s friendly at Yaxley.

“It was a privilege to have Marcus with us,” Dean insisted. “He contacted me through a mutual acquaintance asking if he could come down.

“If I thought it would be in anyway detrimental to my club I wouldn’t have let it happen, but we don’t even have a start date for our league next season so it’s not as though he was denying any minutes to anyone else.

“Anyway the lads enjoyed having him around. He was decent with them. He was very humble and some of the skills and tricks he displayed, particularly in training, were breathtaking.

“He can strike the ball beautifully without any backlift and the way he whips a cross in is incredible.

“Marcus is a remarkable talent. He’s technically outstanding and he looks in great shape for someone who hasn’t played for a while.

“We loved having him around, but I hope he gets what he wants soon. He’s easily good enough for the Championship. We’re just taking it day to day with him.”

Ironically Maddison played the first 45 minutes of the game at Yaxley, but Sports scored their only goal after the break through Josh Moreman, who had replaced Maddison!

Maddison could play in next Saturday’s (AuGgust 15) friendly at Bedford Town, a club who play a division below Sports and who have just signed former Posh striker Rene Howe.