NOTTS County manager Kevin Nolan is contemplating signing controversial former Southend United striker Nile Ranger.

Ranger was released by the Shrimpers in January due to poor discipline and time-keeping.

But, speaking to the Nottingham Post, Nolan revealed he was considering bring the forward to Meadow Lane.

“Nile is a complex character shall we say and he’s had a lot of second, third and fourth chances,” said Nolan, who played alongside Ranger at Newcastle United.

“I am not going to lie but it’s a discussion we have had and we will continue to do so.

“The one thing we have got to make sure is that the perception of our club is the right one.

“No disrespect to Nile, but he has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons and the wrong side of the paper.

“It’s something that everybody has to agree on and if Nile does come here then we would have to have a good sit down with him and his representatives.

“Everybody has to be on board with it, right the way from the chairman to the players.

“If there is any sort of doubt, then we have to make sure we protect the club and the squad we have.”

Ranger scored 10 goals in 49 games during his spell with Blues during which he also hit the headlines for the wrong reasons.

The 26-year-old served a month long suspension following a serious breach of club discipline in his first season at Roots Hall before missing the start of his second campaign after being sent to prison for online fraud.