Stone raring to go

TROUBLED star Kyle Stone will be back in action for North's big match with Sylvans next week. The talented midfielder missed the entire Priaulx 2005-06 campaign and all of this season so far after being suspended sine die by the Guernsey Football Association after he was convicted of possessing cannabis in May 2005.

Introduced in 1999, the GFA's tough anti-drugs rules allow a player to be able to appeal against his ban a year from the date of his conviction.

The decision finally came this week after Stone successfully completed the due process to reinstatement.

Stone, who turned 20 last month, is looking to put his troubles behind him and he is excited to get back into top-flight football.

He is certain to feature when the league leaders take on Sylvans on Wednesday night at Northfield.

'I'm really happy as I haven't played proper GFA football for 19 months. It's good to get back,' he said.

'I'm playing in the Jackson against Bels on Saturday. I can't wait to get back.'

While banned from GFA football, Stone had been turning out for Close Bank in the Business League, although an operation on an Achilles problem sidelined him for seven months.

He returns to a North team that sit 11 points clear on top of the Priaulx and on course to pick up their first league title for 15 years.

'They've been doing well and they should hopefully win the league this season,' he said.

'Hopefully I'll be involved as there are 10 games to go and you need to play eight to get a medal.'

The last time Stone featured in the green of Guernsey was in April 2004 when the island under-18s beat Jersey 2-1.

He was awarded the man-of-the-match accolade and now he is back, a full island cap could be on the horizon very soon.

But the North man is not getting carried away.

'I'll hopefully push for a place, but I'll look to get in that next season. I think I'm too late this year,' he said.

'I've two years left in the under-21s so I'll be dealing with that.'

North coach Mick Le Prevost is over the moon to be welcoming Stone back into the fold.

'I'm very pleased and it's great for him to be back,' said Le Prevost.

'He can't wait to start playing again. He was going to be on my bench for our Sylvans match on Tuesday but it was called off.

'He's a fantastic footballer. He's quality.'

In further good news for Le Prevost, his son and North midfielder Alex has been named as part of the South and West Counties representative squad that is taking on AFC Bournemouth's academy side.

The match is at the Nationwide League Two club's ground, Dean Court, on Sunday 11 February.

n LAST night's scheduled Priaulx League fixture between Vale Rec and Rovers was postponed due to a waterlogged Corbet Field. It has been rearranged for next Wednesday. According to GFA fixtures secretary Garry Cortez, the weekend's programme may also suffer because of the recent rain and groundsmen being unable to work on their pitches.