Former Chicago Fire striker Damani Ralph will remain on trial with New York Red Bulls as coach Hans Backe continues to cast an eye over him.

The former Jamaica international is recovering from three knee operations and has not played since 2007 when he was in Russia with Rubin Kazan so the Red Bulls are being patient with him to see if there is any chance of having him on the playing list somewhere down the track.

"We're taking it rather easy with him. We can still see his rhythm is not there. He's limping a little bit, the timing not there,'' Backe said.

"He's a player you could give him a chance; he is keen to get back in MLS. You cannot pick him for the roster, but we could have him training for two or three months, and that is an option. I'm not that familiar with MLS, but Richie (Williams, assistant) said we can have a player training for months; that could be an option.''