SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Neil Parry, the San Jose State football player who lost part of his right leg during a game two seasons ago, plans to play for the Spartans this fall - perhaps as soon as their season opener.

Parry's leg was severely broken Oct. 14, 2000, during a game against UTEP, and it was removed below the knee nine days later. Since the day of his amputation, Parry has vowed to return to the field.

"There's no question I'll play this year," Parry said Tuesday during lunch at a San Francisco restaurant. "It's just a question of picking the best spot for me to get back out there.

"For all I know, it might be our opener against Arkansas State. As soon as Coach (Fitz) Hill decides I'm one of the best guys that can contribute to the team, I'll be out there."

Parry has worked out at the Spartans' training complex almost daily since last August, improving his balance and skill on a series of prosthetic devices. After joining the team in 1999 as a walk-on defensive back, Parry redshirted in 2001.

Parry participated in all of the Spartans' offseason training drills, often working out away from his teammates, and he'll be participating when the Spartans open full practices on Saturday.

Though he can't run at a full sprint yet, he should be able to do so when he receives a specially designed prosthesis later this week.

The Spartans haven't set a precise date for Parry's return, though they'll know more after Parry tries out his new prosthesis. San Jose State is at Arkansas State on Aug. 31, with its home opener on Sept. 28 against UTEP.

Parry has considered the possibility of making his big return in another game against UTEP.

"That would be kind of perfect, but I want to get back out there as soon as I can," Parry said. "I'm not interested in some symbolic thing. I want to be in every game. I want to play in that game, and I want to play in the one after that."

San Jose State has received clearance from the NCAA for Parry to play football. Hill toyed with the idea of using Parry as a holder on kicks, but Parry wants to return to special teams play on kickoff coverage - the same situation in which he was injured nearly two years ago.

There are thousands of disabled runners and athletes in the world, but the school doesn't know of anyone who has played football with a prosthetic limb since Brian Hall, who kicked field goals for Texas Tech from 1974-76 with a prosthetic foot.

Among the hundreds of well-wishers who have cheered Parry's quest is former President Bill Clinton, who visited Parry shortly after his injury and kept in touch with phone calls.

"That young man will not let circumstances keep him down," said Hill, who was hired several months after Parry was injured. "I have nothing but respect for his work ethic and his belief in his abilities. He's going to be out there at some point this season, we believe."

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