BRIAN Howard is relishing the prospect of a wet and chilly weekend in Hartlepool as many of his friends prepare for a sun-kissed international tournament in the United Arab Emirates.

The 2003 World Youth Championships officially kicks off today, but Howard will be pulling on a red shirt on Saturday rather than a white one adorned with three lions.

The summer signing from Southampton has been a regular in the England Under 20 squad, and while he is disappointed to be missing out on an event which sees 24 nations taking part, he is more than consoled by the fact he is very much part of his domestic club's plans.

Howard was not chosen for the final England squad but having forced himself into Andy King's plans, there was a strong chance he would have turned down the opportunity anyway.

He said: "I spoke to a couple of the England lads as they prepared to fly out last week and they were joking about how good the weather was likely to be out there compared with what I'd be putting up with. That doesn't bother me because I'm playing first-team football and learning with each new game.

"I tend to believe that things happen for a reason anyway."

Howard has started to feature more regularly on the team sheet in recent weeks and he is grateful to the guidance handed out manager Andy King.

He said: "The gaffer has sat me down and talked to me about my progress.

"He feels I am ahead of where he thought I would be at this stage and that's nice to hear.

"I hope that's because I am so keen to learn and the manager feels he is the person to get the best out of me."

Howard has great faith in his own ability and his manager clearly sees there is great potential. But how best to utilise it?

It is a question Howard has yet to find an answer to, and he is also asking the Town fans to show patience with him.

He said: "So far this season, I've played in the middle, out wide and up front.

"I don't think me or the gaffer are yet sure what my position is."

Howard loves to run with the ball and take on opponents. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but he is not to be discouraged from trying his tricks.

He said: "I do like to run at people and maybe the fans get frustrated when it doesn't come off. I'd just ask them to be patient. It is a question of decisions, knowing when to do something and when not to. I suppose it can prove to be the difference between a good player and a very good player."

While Howard is looking forward to Saturday's game at Hartlepool, his regular driving partner Sammy Igoe must face up to a further spell on the sidelines.

A hospital visit yesterday confirmed that the broken scaphoid bone in his left wrist has yet to heal.

Igoe, who cut off the initial plaster cast protecting the injury through frustration at the weekend, is now 'covered up' again.

He said: "The x-ray showed the injury hasn't healed so I've had another cast put on. I have to go back in three weeks to see where we are.

"One option is for a splint to be attached to my thumb, which would allow me to play, albeit with a risk of further damage if I fell on it according to the surgeon, with an operation taking place at the end of the season."

FAIRFORD enjoyed a comfortable Hellenic Premier League win last night at Pewsey Vale.

A hat-trick from Lee Stoddart and one from Glenn Armstrong saw the Cinder Lane side triumph 4-1.