Having apparently failed to cement a contract in England, Anthony Rougier is due to return to Trinidad and Tobago tomorrow to boost United Petrotrin's challenge in the 2006 T&T Pro League football competition which begins on April 8.
After taking part in a T&T national football team camp in Florida in February, the 35 year-old former T&T senior team captain had been in England exploring some club options.
Now that he has returned home however, Rougier will link up with the 'Oilmen ' who ended last season as the most improved team in the Pro League when they captured the year-ending Lucozade 'Big 6' competition.
United Petrotrin are currently in Tobago putting the finishing touches on their preparations for the upcoming season.
Brian Williams, the 2005 Pro League Coach of the Year, said that Petrotrin should give a much better performance this season. Coach Williams said his charges have been in hard training since February 4 and that they had retained most of their 2005 squad.
"This year we expect the team to show a lot more improvement and to continue the trend from where we left off. Last year, we were not sure about getting into the Pro League so we had just two weeks to prepare. This year, our preparation has been much better. We have a few new recruits, no big names, but many of these guys have been around the team and can fit in."
Williams said that while Petrotrin concentrated on defence and containing their opponents last season, in 2006 fans can expect more attacking options from his team. While in Tobago, Petrotrin are due to play two warm-up matches, one against FC Phoenix and the other possibly against Tobago United. They are due home on Monday.