Stephen Astwood is targeting a move back to his roots at PHC Zebras, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

The burly striker has sought a release from semi-pro outfit Bermuda Hogges and is expected to slip on a Zebras shirt before the end of the month, PHC assistant coach Jack Castle has confirmed.

"Stephen is a welcome sight to the club. He will definitely bring a lot of experience to the team. Stephen was on contract with Bermuda Hogges and so there are a few matters that still have to be sorted out before he can transfer to PHC. But he's definitely looking forward to rejoining the club," Castle added.

Following in the footsteps of cousin Kenny Mills, Astwood made a name for himself as a striker at PHC before heading further West to Somerset Trojans and then signing on the dotted line as one of the Hogges' two fully contracted players. Damon Ming, the Hogges' other franchise player, is now rumoured to be heading back to Dandy Town.

Astwood would give PHC a timely boost and would help fill the void left by striker Raynel (Manga) Lightbourne who has informed team management that he will be unvailable during the early stages of the season.

"Once we get Stephen back in the team he will most likely play up top or just behind (the strikers) in our system (3-4-3) of attacking football," Castle said. "Stephen could possibly play up front with the likes of Cecoy (Robinson) or Aquino (Grant), and hopefully we have him in the squad by our second match (Martonmere Cup)."

Under the conditions of his contract with the Hogges, the strapping striker was prohibited from playing during the previous domestic season and he struggled to hit form amid Bermuda's World Cup qualifying campaign earlier this year.

Astwood, however, seems to have shaken off the cobwebs of a long winter layoff and his involvement at Zebras this season could also benefit the Hogges next summer.

Astwood's journey in the sport, that has seen the national team player undergo football trials in the UK, began as an ambitious youngster at the humble settings at Stadium Lane where he now hopes to rekindle some of the past magic as Zebras look to build on the remarkable achievements of the previous season.

Under the stewardship of sophmore coach Kyle Lightbourne, PHC won Premier Division and FA Cup honours last season and will be seeking to continue their winning ways this campaign - although coach Castle readily admits his troops will have their work cut out.

"Our guys have to understand it's going to be even harder for us this season and so we have to come prepared to play football every game," he added.

"Everybody is going to be hunting us and so we have to go on the hunt as well.

"We are champions and so this season we have to go out there and play as champions and try and defend what's ours."

Zebras kick off the 2008-09 campaign tomorrow night at BAA Field where they will come up against Friendship Trophy and Dudley Eve champions North Village who thrashed Lightbourne's men 7-3 in last April's historical Friendship Trophy final.

According to Castle, those wounds have yet to heal with Zebras now keen to avenge that humiliating defeat at the hands of the ruthless Red Army.

"I do believe we can beat North Village; we just have to go out there and win our first game," he said.

"We have to win our first game and try and send a message that we are looking to again be one of the top teams this season."