NEWCASTLE Eagles intend to add one more new face before the BBL season starts – as they finally wrap up a one-year deal to bring back long-serving forward Charles Smith.

Smith, who with over 5,000 points is the Eagles all-time leading scorer, will return to Sport Central for an unprecedented eighth season after performing a surprise U-turn on his early summer decision to retire from the sport.

It is a huge boost for the Eagles management, who held a spot open for the veteran despite early indications he would hang up his vest.

And in an unexpected boost they have budgeted for one more arrival to add to a roster that is sure to mount a strong challenge for honours next season.

Bringing back Smith will certainly help that, the forward having played a pivotal role during a troubled tilt for the title last year. Head coach Fab Flournoy believes Charles’ experience will be vital to his team.

Flournoy said: “We are delighted to have Charles back for another year. Due to injuries and illnesses we really had to rely on him last season and he did not let us down at any stage.

“He was the only player on our squad to play over 1000 minutes last year and I hope with the squad we are putting together this year that we will be able to keep him fresh through the whole season.”

The Eagles also expect to re-sign Darius Defoe and Andrew Bridge shortly and then it will be a case of sourcing one more new arrival.

Managing director Paul Blake said that is likely to come after the pre-season campaign, which will give the club time to assess where any addition would be best suited.

“We have the funds to sign one more player and there has been plenty of debate within the coaching team about whether that should be a guard or forward.

“I think we have taken the decision to hang fire on that, see how the pre-season goes and then make a decision in the weeks before the season starts. It is also a work permit slot, which gives us that extra flexibility.

“There are loads of high calibre players out there at the moment and I’m also aware of the fact that there are several GB players who are still not signed up anywhere yet, so that’s another avenue to explore.”