Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Hugh Howell - File

WATERHOUSE MIDFIELDER Hugh Howell is reportedly contemplating a move to newly promoted Meadhaven United.

The 23-year-old central midfielder, who was recently invited to train with the Reggae Boyz before their opening round World Cup qualifying match-up against the Bahamas, has been training with Meadhaven since June and, according to officials at the club, they expect to sign him soon.

Negotiations

"We have not signed anybody as yet, but we have a few players training with us - one of which is Hugh Howell," said Lijyasu Simms, assistant coach of Meadhaven.

"He is one of ours and has expressed a desire in rejoining us and, owing to negotiations with his club, we plan to sign him," Simms said.

A versatile player in both midfield and defence, Howell was on the books of Meadhaven up to four seasons ago. However, lured by the desire to compete in the big time, he made a switch to Waterhouse in 2004, shortly after winning his second Manning Cup title with Excelsior High.

Since then, he has been in and out of the Waterhouse starting line-up and it was not until René Simoes identified him as a bright prospect and took him to Brazil that people began to take notice of his skills.

However, with his youth club Meadhaven gaining promotion to the National Premier League, it appears that Howell has had a change of heart and wants to team up with his old friends, a move which Waterhouse president Peter Hibbert says he has no knowledge of.

Strange

"I don't know about that, he is a Waterhouse player under contract," said Hibbert when asked if Howell was planning a move to Meadhaven.

"He has not indicated to me his desire to leave. But players do strange things and if that is the case, the right thing to do is for Meadhaven to approach Waterhouse. Until then I don't have anything to comment on," he said.

Wayne Fairclough, coach of Waterhouse, shared similar sentiments as Hibbert, but said if Howell decided to move to Meadhaven, it would not surprise him.

Major acquisition

"I haven't seen him for quite some time," Fairclough said. "He used to play for them, that's where he was transferred from. I don't know anything about Hugh Howell's situation at this time, so to try and say something about him is hard," he said.

"Nothing surprises me. You have people wake up today and their mind changes," he said.

If the move materialises, Howell would be Meadhaven's first major acquisition since qualifying for the league in May, although it is reported that two other high-profile players are training with the club.

The NPL transfer window opened on July 1 and will close on August 30, the day the 2008/2009 season starts.