POPPIES boss Kenny Vaughan may give former Los Angeles Galaxy striker Max Cream his first Sydenhams Wessex Premier start at basement boys Cowes Sports tomorrow (3pm).

The 22-year-old has joined the league leaders after leaving American outfit Cleveland City Stars by mutual consent after sustaining an artificial turf-related injury.

Cream, a former professional, made his Poppies debut as a substitute in their 7-1 home triumph over Alton last weekend.

He signed for the league leaders earlier this month after gaining international clearance.

Cream has enjoyed a cosmopolitan career frustratingly trying to break into the top level.

He scored for the Galaxy in a friendly before leaving the club after the management was sacked two months before David Beckham arrived from Real Madrid.

He’s also lined up for Dundee United’s professional under-19 team as well as for Dunfermline in first-team friendlies against Rangers and Hearts.

Cream trained with Werder Bremen, FC Cologne and Borussia Monchengladbach and also appeared for SV Meppen, Shelbourne and Cobh Rangers.

After injury prematurely curtailed a two-year contract with Cleveland signed in February, the striker, who has an American mother and English father, took a break from football and has only just got back into it at semi-pro level with Poppies.

Vaughan said: “Max has been a pro since 16 and we’re delighted to have him on board.

“Max wants to have a year or two living here because he likes the area and has got a bit fed up travelling around the world playing football.

“He hasn’t played for three or four months so I gave him 25 minutes against Alton to ease him in.

“He needs games now to get himself fully fit because he looks the part in training.

“He’s a goalscorer and I’m contemplating starting him on Saturday, although I may just give him another 25 minutes so we don’t risk him picking up any injuries.”

Poppies: (from) Harvell, Arnold, Byrne, Jones, Crutcher, Blake, Roberts (Sanderson 60), Phillipson-Masters, Cream, Saadi, Wrixton, Glenister, Cann.