FORMER NATIONAL striker, Barry Hayles, could soon be moving down from the English Premier League to the First Division.
The 32-year-old, who had his six-year stay at Fulham come to an end in May, has been on the hunt for a new club since. Among the clubs that have been after him are Leeds United, which were relegated from the Premiership in May.
TAKING TIME
Hayles admitted that he had held talks with Leeds, but said that he would take his time to make up his mind.
"I have spoken to Leeds but it's early stages," Hayles told the Leeds United FC website.
He continued: "They are a massive club, there are no doubts about that. They are a club that should be in the Premiership and I would have no qualms about moving there.
"But I'm going to take my time and go through the options before hopefully making the right choice.
"I have had a few offers from clubs and I'm looking forward to a new challenge now," he concluded.
Hayles failed to have his contract renewed as new-signing American Brian McBride and the African teenage Collins John shone and relegated him to more of a fringe player.
Space opened up for Hayles at Leeds with the seven-million pounds sterling sale of Alan Smith to Manchester United, and the expected departure of Australian Mark Viduka, the club's top wage-earner.
ACCEPT INVITATIONS
Hayles, who has not represented Jamaica for a little while due to injuries and a failure to accept invitations, started his career as a right wingback at Conference club Stevenage. He was later converted to a forward and took to this position like a duck to water.
He became the club's top scorer and was transferred to Bristol Rovers in 1997 for a fee of 250,000 pounds sterling before following that up with a fee of two-million pounds sterling the following year.
At Fulham, his productivity continued as he helped the club to Premiership promotion three seasons ago.
It was at Fulham that he came to the attention of the Jamaican coaching staff and finally made his debut for the country in February 2000.
