REGGIE Jackson will make a shock comeback for the Newcastle Eagles tonight after a U-turn over his wage demands.

The Eagles had written off their chances of landing former star Jackson (pictured below) after failing to come to an agreement over his personal terms – but he e-mailed acting head coach Dave Forrester yesterday afternoon to signal a change of heart.

And with fellow target Brandon Dagans dragging his heels, the Eagles decided to make a move for the man who played point guard for the BBL champions last term.

The news will come as a major fillip for both the Eagles and their fans, who took Jackson to their hearts during two title-winning seasons on Tyneside.

After flying overnight from his home in Atlanta, he is set to make an instant return tonight against the Sheffield Sharks.

The news is a bonus for the Eagles, for whom Andre Lockhart is hoping to make the most of his chance.

The Eagles take on the Sharks and Leicester Riders this weekend as they bid to build on a 15-game winning streak but they will have to do it without sharp shooter Chapman and head coach Fab Flournoy, who is still convalescing after a bout of bacterial pneumonia.

Those injuries will open the door for BBL rookie Lockhart – who has been waiting patiently in the wings since the start of the season – to make an impact in the two guard role vacated by Chapman. And while the Barbadian is delighted to get his chance, he admits the absence of Chapman and Flournoy will have a profound effect on the roster. “The team’s morale has been down a bit over the last couple of weeks,” he said.

“Fab is a big motivator and a big presence around the team. He is a natural leader and so we have lost that and the intensity of the training maybe did dip a bit for a few days.

“Then losing Joe was like a sniper shot in the back.

“I think all of the guys are just sad for Joe, because when you have a player as good as him you just want him to succeed.

“He has been like a big brother to me all year and I’ve looked up to him so for me I’m really sad that he’s not going to play again.”

Buoyed on by that win, Lockhart has noticed a determination to triumph in the face of adversity on the part of the Eagles.

Confidence is high in the locker-room and with senior men like Charles Smith, Andrew Bridge and Trey Moore taking on more of a leadership role, belief that they can win an unprecedented third straight BBL title has returned.

They get the opportunity to show it when they take on the Sharks at Sport Central tonight (tip off, 7.30pm).

“I think the senior guys have stepped up and taken more of that responsibility and as younger guys, we’ve responded to that,” he said.

“I’m excited about the weekend. I’m really disappointed that my chance has come because of an injury to someone else but I’m determined to make the most of it.

“It is tough when you’re behind the two best players in the league (Moore and Chapman) but I’ve learned a lot.”