Andrew Bascome has returned to coaching Martonmere Cup champions, Friendship Trophy finalists and league title contenders Devonshire Cougars.

Bascome took a leave of absence before the 2006-07 season began to tend to personal matters, but has now rejoined the Big Cats who are pushing for a second league and Friendship 'double in three seasons.

"Snake (Shawn Smith) is still the coach, and really I'm just assisting him at the moment. He's still in charge of the team and whatever he brings to the table, I just work along with him more or less as a technical consultant," Bascome explained.

The former North Village, Boulevard and Bermuda international midfielder coached Cougars to league and Friendship glory in 2004-05.

And while Cougars managed to win a cup title (Martonmere Cup) and qualify for the Premier's Dudley Eve Cup final in his absence, Bascome's re-emergence could be just the tonic to give the Big Cats the psychological lift ahead of tonight's crucial league encounter with fast-improving PHC at the Den without key player Domico Coddington who remains sidelined through injury.

Coddington has yet to recover from a chipped bone in his foot.

Since losing to Somerset Trojans in the Dudley Eve on New Year's Day, Cougars have gone undefeated.

And with top striker Raymond (Packy) Beach gradually returning to peak form, the Big Cats will be looking for maximum points against Kyle Lightbourne's Zebras who really can't afford to leave the Den with anything less than a point.

Since appearing in a first Martonmere Cup final in four years, Zebras have struggled in the league through a combination of injuries and player shortages.

But with player/coach Lightbourne now orchestrating from the heart of the team's defence, and a few players back from injury, Zebras have managed to gradually turn their fortunes around and have gone unbeaten since losing 2-1 to Trojans early last December.

Cougars have won both meetings between the two clubs so far this season, defeating Zebras 2-0 in the Martonmere Cup final and then thrashing the men in black 4-1 in their own back yard — a favour Lightbourne and company will be looking to return tonight at the Den.

Tonight's Premier Division clash will be preceded by an Under 18 Division encounter also involving Cougars and Zebras.