I don't think he'd have much of a leg to stand on to be honest 9he'd probably fall over regardless and be out ofr another year) as I don't think he has remotely met his requirements as a player.
I'd make him sit out the remainder of the year and not let him play for anyone else.
From the sounds of it, he doesn't sound that interested anyway but with a young family to support, he's got a lot of thinking to do. Even that will probably require 12 months on the sidelines.