GLENN Howes is the latest Isle of Wight player to quit the mainland and return to his island roots, writes WENDY GEE.

The 21-year-old Southampton Institute student was last night due to sign for DML Eastern Division outfit Newport IoW after being released from Basingstoke Town.

Former Saints schoolboy Howes joined Stoke as a 17-year-old from Eastleigh's youth team and was making good progress until injury intervened.

He had a groin operation the season before last and has had a frustrating time of it at the Camrose ever since, culminating in him slapping in an unofficial transfer request which he later withdrew.

Howes arrives with glowing references from Newport's new player/assistant manager Taffy Richardson who knows him well from his days at Basingstoke.

Newport boss Steve Tate said: "It's no secret I've wanted Glenn for quite a while. He's an attacking midfielder who scores and makes goals and will fit in well with the squad I'm putting together.

"Very few teams have got a striker capable of scoring 40 goals a season. The only one I can think of is Havant & Waterlooville's James Taylor. If you don't have that, then everyone else has got to chip in with goals from different positions. We can't leave it all down to Jamie O'Rourke and Ashley Wright."

Tate, meanwhile, is keeping tabs on Michael Jackson's situation at Weymouth.

The former Bashley, Winchester City and AFC Totton targetman had only just signed a contract before journalist Ian Ridley took over as chairman with a pledge to take the club into the Football League.

Whether Romsey lad Jackson will fit in with the Terras' high ambitions remains to be seen. If he doesn't, Tate will be quick to pounce.