PHC's new signing Antwan Russell is hoping to return to action in early November as he continues his recovery from a serious knee injury.

The Bermuda international has not played since suffering cartiladge damage in last season's FA Cup final while playing for his former club Somerset Eagles.

He recently resumed light training as he edges closer to full fitness and is confident he will not miss too many league matches before he makes his second debut for his boyhood club, Zebras.

"I'm not fully fit but I'm starting to get my feeling back a little bit and once I get the mental part put aside I'll be alright," said Russell, whose injury ruled him out of this summer's Island Soccer League (ISL). "I'm pretty much training regularly now and I'm looking at November for when I comeback."

Russell, 22, left PHC four years ago to sign for Premier Division rivals Dandy Town where he enjoyed three seasons before linking up with Kenny Thompson at Eagles.

Had Thompson remained at Eagles then so too may have Russell who admits Thompson's departure to BAA Wanderers, coupled with the chance to work with coach Kyle Lightbourne again, were the motivating factors behind to his decision to rejoin PHC.

"I'm happy to be back and I'm hoping to be here for a while and turn PHC into my real home again," said the ex-Bermuda Hogges man. "Playing for PHC is always a good feeling and I know what it means to pull on a PHC shirt.

"(Kyle) was one of the main reasons I went back. We had talks over the summer and he told me he would like me to return. Obviously Kenny Thompson had left Eagles so it seemed like the right time for me."

Also making the move from White Hill Field to Warwick is Russell's close friend Aquino Grant who also came through the youth ranks at PHC.

"Aquino was a big player for Eagles last season," said Russell. "We've played together since we were 13-years-old so we have a good understanding.

"I always feel more comfortable with him on the pitch with me."

Russell was not of part of the PHC side which memorably claimed a trio of trophies (Premier Division, FA Cup and Martonmere Cup) in the 2007-08 season, but he believes the class of '10-11 have the potential be every bit as good.

"I think that with the players we've got and the players who have come we can definitely challenge for honours. It should be a good season for PHC.

"Apart from a couple of additions, it's pretty much the same team that won three trophies a few season ago."

Both of his former clubs, Eagles and Hornets, used Russell primarily as a midfielder although he believes his real talent lies in scoring goals rather than laying them on.

"I believe Kyle sees me as a striker and that's where I enjoy playing, but I can be used as a midfielder, and that's where Kenny Thompson played me last season. To be honest, though, I don't mind where I play as long as we win."