LONDON (AP):

Former Arsenal defender Sol Campbell talked to Gunners manager Arsene Wenger yesterday about returning to the club to train and try to regain his fitness.

Campbell walked out on Notts County last month after playing just one game despite signing a lucrative five-year deal, blaming broken promises from the fourth tier club's management. But, the 35-year-old centreback told the Associated Press (AP) yesterday that Notts County have still not released him from his contract and therefore he can't join a new club under FIFA rules.

Campbell met Wenger on the sidelines of an African education campaign launch at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium and informally spoke about using his former club's training facilities to overcome some minor fitness concerns. Campbell was with Arsenal for five seasons after moving from north London rival Tottenham in 2001.

"It will be great to train here and get fit," Campbell told the AP at the 'One Goal' launch. "I've spoken to Arsene, hopefully we can get everything right and speak to the right people and get a couple of the physios and fitness guys to help me and train."

Campbell hopes to be playing for a new club before the January transfer window opens, but didn't say how he could circumvent the rules.

"First of all I've got to get out of the contract, people have to sign papers," Campbell told the AP at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium. "There are lots of things that have to be tied up, but I think everyone understands why."

Gordon Taylor, who heads the English players' union, has pledged to help Campbell "jump through a few hoops" if they can cite exceptional circumstances.

"Sol has enough in the locker to play in the Premier League," Wenger said last month. "Sol is a strong man and when he has his mind on something he goes for it."