Stiliyan Petrov returns to Aston Villa training ahead of possible return to former club after retirement following cancer
Petrov had to prematurely retire in May 2013 because of leukaemia
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STILIYAN PETROV will train with Aston Villa this summer as he attempts to make a return to professional football.
The former club captain, who turns 37 next month, had to retire in May 2013 after a battle with leukaemia.
New manager Roberto Di Matteo will give him every chance to earn a professional contract but he is yet to be offered a deal, according to the .
The Bulgarian, who last played in March 2012, will also travel to Austria with the squad on a pre-season tour.
Speaking last month, Petrov said: "Aston Villa remains my priority.
"My fitness is getting close to when I retired, so let’s see where we go.
"People will be asking a lot of questions, and will have a lot of doubts but I am keeping the faith."
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A return to the Championship may be unrealistic after more than four years away from the professional game, but lower league clubs are said to be interested.
He spent the latter half of last season training with Aston Villa's Under-21s, while his fitness tests apparently rival players in the first team.
Petrov has been doing three sessions a day with a personal trainer to get back to the top level.
The former Bulgaria captain, who won 105 caps for his nation, was twice voted Villa's Players' Player of the Year.
He spent six years in the Villa first team following his move from Celtic.
Petrov followed Martin O'Neill to Villa Park after helping the Bhoys win four Scottish Premier League titles and six other major trophies.