Usain Bolt has until JANUARY to prove he has a career in football as trial continues with Central Coast Mariners

USAIN BOLT has been given until January to prove himself as he continues his bid to become a professional footballer.

The eight-time Olympic gold medallist is training with the Central Coast Mariners in Australia  as he chases a full-time contract.

Mariners coach Mike Mulvey said that he will decide at Christmas time, January at the latest, as to whether the Jamaican will sign on for the rest of the season.

Bolt is set to play in his next pre-season match for the Mariners in mid-October.

The 32-year-old is desperate to earn an A-League contract with the team based north of Sydney, and will likely play on October 12 against Sydney league side Macarthur South West United.

The Mariners begin the regular season on October 21 in Brisbane against the Roar.

Bolt said: "If I get to start it will be a big thing for me.

"It shows that the work that I've been putting in since I've been here is really paying off and the coach has confidence in me and he sees the improvement and the work I've been putting in."

Bolt saw his first action for the Mariners on August 31, playing 20 minutes against a Central Coast selection side.

He played the entire second half against the North Shore Mariners on September 19, when he alternated between left wing and striker.

Mulvey has revealed that Bolt was progressing well

He added: "In the initial dispatches he talked about how he needed time, I said at the time we will give him 12 months if need be.

"But I think a reasonable assumption would be around about Christmas time, January, we should be really judging on whether he's really improved or not improved.

"He's slowly getting there."