Rumour Mill-Steve Howard

It is no secret that as well as the need to plug the gaps in defence, Owen Coyle is also seeking to give the side more options up front. Accordingly he has mentioned his desire to try and get a target man in to help relieve some of the pressure on Martin Paterson. A tall, pacy centre forward could well be just what we need!

One person who might fit that role is the 6ft 3,former Luton and Derby striker, Steve Howard who not for the first time has been linked with a move to Turf Moor.

Clarets fans may well remember the strong rumours that former gaffer, Steve Cotterill was interested in bringing the striker to Turf Moor a few seasons back whilst he was playing for Luton but nothing came of that.

It now appears, according to the Burnley Express that Coyle might also be tempted to bring the player, now at League 1 side, Leicester City, to Turf Moor.

Howard started his professional career with Harlepool after joining them from non-league side Tow Law Town in 1995.

He then joined Northampton Town for £120,000 in February 1999. A record signing for the club at the time.

Howard however came to prominence when he joined Luton Town for £50,000 in March 2001 They would have paid another £25,000 if Luton had avoided relegation but they didnt!

At Luton he became their top scorer over a number of seasons helping them win promotion signing a new deal in 2005.

In his first season at the Championship level, he scored 15 goals in 45 appearances.

Howard however played a large chunk of the season at centre-half following an Hatters injury crises.

Luton fans regarded Howard as a club legend, with over 100 goals in all competitions (96 in the league), five years of service plus helping them win two promotions.

They must have been gutted therefore when he signed for Derby County for £1 million in July 2006 following the beginning of the slide down the Leagues for the Hatters.

Leicester City signed Howard on New Years Day 2008 for a fee of £1.5 million but he was unable to prevent the club being relegated to League 1.

Although born in Durham, the 32 year old striker was found to be eligible to play for Scotland and has one Scotland B cap to his name.




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