fulfil his dream of signing for an English Premier League club.

Advised by his agent Mark Georgevic to cut short his Bermuda vacation, the 28-year-old Walsall striker returned to England last week to find about a dozen clubs in three divisions enquiring about his availability.

Coventry City and Sheffield Wednesday are the front runners, mainly because of their status as Premiership clubs.

And once he speaks with Wednesday manager David Pleat upon the latter's return from vacation in the United States tomorrow, Lightbourne will likely get to choose between the two clubs, becoming the first Bermudian since Clyde Best to play in one of the world's top leagues.

"We've spoken to a few clubs in the First Division but the Premier League clubs have the upper hand,'' Lightbourne disclosed yesterday when contacted at his home in Walsall.

Geographically, Coventry City would suit him as he would not have to relocate, which would be the case if he signed for Wednesday.

However, that, plus the fact that he had to cut short his stay back home, seems to matter very little to Lightbourne who is about to realise his long-time dream of playing in the top division in England, the first Bermudian player since Clyde Best left West Ham in 1975.

"I'll just have to weigh it up and see which offer I'm happy with,'' said Lightbourne who met Coventry manager Gordon Strachan last Wednesday with his wife and daughter.

"When I had the meeting with Strachan he told me he was watching me when he was at Leeds,'' said Lightbourne. "He told me I didn't have to tell him anything about me, that he has watched me enough to know.'' Coventry were the team that came closest to signing Lightbourne a few months ago but their offer of 400,000 was turned down by Walsall who were reluctant to sell their top scorer while they were in the hunt for a Second Division promotion play-off spot.

Now Walsall have resigned themselves to losing their top scorer in the last three seasons, even though they apparently want substantially more than the 400,000 that Coventry have again offered.

If the clubs fail to agree on the fee then it will go before an independent tribunal which would determine what should be paid for Lightbourne.

"We spoke to Coventry chairman Bryan Richardson about Kyle on Friday,'' Walsall general manager Paul Taylor confirmed yesterday. "It is not for us to say what will happen now but it is my understanding that they will pursue their interest.

"Kyle has done wonderfully well at Walsall over the years and we have a good relationship with him. And he knows if the right offer is made we will not stand in his way.'' In the past Lightbourne has been careful not to get too excited about transfer rumours. But now he senses something is about to happen.

"Things are starting to happen, as they say the ball is in my court,'' said the lanky striker. "About 15 clubs have been in contact and I'm a little surprised at the clubs that have shown interest.

"Sometime this week I'm hoping something will happen. I don't want it to drag on too long. I just want to play football but before I make a decision I'm going to speak with Sheffield Wednesday.'' Coventry begin pre-season training today and their manager told Lightbourne they wanted him to train with the rest of the squad.

The new season begins on August 9 with Sheffield Wednesday away to Newcastle and Coventry at home to FA Cup winners Chelsea. Two days later Coventry travel to London to meet Arsenal in a televised match.

Meanwhile, colour photos of both Lightbourne and Shawn Goater of Bristol City appeared in the June 14 edition of Shoot magazine. Various clubs' achievements in 1996-97 were analysed and the two appeared as their club's top scorers.

Both scored 25 goals overall last season, Goater hitting 23 in the league Lightbourne 20.

KYLE LIGHTBOURNE -- The star striker (left) appears set to join Coventry City or Sheffield Wednesday of the English Premier League.