Michael, 22, is in France playing with third ­division club SA XV Charente while James, 24, looks set to return to the Blacks after a season playing rugby league with Nelson Bay.

The pair last joined forces for Maitland in 2012 and Tynan was confident that if one Howell committed then he would more than likely score a pigeon pair.

“If James [Howell] plays than Michael will come and play as well,” Tynan said.

“Michael is due back in early April from what I understand and James is coming back to play for us as well.”

Tynan also expected electric winger Michael Hendry to be available for the full season, while there was some talk that 2012 leading try scorer Dillon Rowney was contemplating a return to Marcellin Park in pre-season after a year with Wanderers.

Pre-season training starts on January 28 and will be held at Walka Water Works, across the Hunter River to the west of their traditional home base at Marcellin Park.

“We are looking for a bit of a change,” Tynan said.

“We have planned it out and we can run hills and drills and hopefully by moving it over there was can gain a little more interest.”

Tynan said he would hold sessions at Walka Water Works each Tuesday and Thursday for about six weeks before shifting back to Marcellin Park.

A trial match away against Merewether has been locked in for March 8 while talks are being held for matches against Singleton and Muswellbrook for lower grades.

The season kicks off on April 5 with a home game against University.