ADRIAN HEATH is relishing the prospect of a reunion with his "best mate in football" when the Austin Aztex take on Stoke City in a tour friendly on Wednesday evening.

The Aztex coach will meet up again with his former Everton team-mate Peter Reid when the Potters' sister club fly into England early next week to embark upon a 10-day tour.

Although City's recently-appointed assistant manager and Heath keep in regular touch by phone, it is some time since they last saw each other due to footballing commitments.

Heath said: "It will be great to see Reidy again. I know he is quite excited about us going head-to-head in this match and it certainly adds a bit of interest to the match.

"He is my best mate in football, without a doubt. We shared six wonderful years at Everton and roomed together throughout that glorious period in the Club's history."

Heath also played for Reid when he was manager of Manchester City, spending two years at Maine Road in which he made 75 appearances and scored four goals in that time.

And then they worked together again when Heath began his coaching career in roles under the management of Reid at Sunderland, Leeds United and Coventry City.

"I am also grateful for the fact that Reidy gave me the chance to develop my coaching career and we have kept in close touch more recently. Indeed, when he was in Thailand working as their National Coach we would communicate on Skype each day," added Heath.

"Even now, since he has come back to England and got this excellent chance with Stoke we are on the phone to each other on a regular basis, but it will be nice to see him."

Heath, who began his career at the Victoria Ground and made 95 appearances between 1979 and 1982 before linking up with Reid at Goodison Park, was appointed the first Head Coach of the Aztex after a couple of spells as caretaker manager at Coventry City.

"I had several offers to coach with other English clubs, but the chance to build something from scratch was too tempting to turn down," he commented. "I had followed US soccer for some time and believe the game in the States is about to take off."

*Tickets are currently on sale for the City-Aztex match from the Britannia Stadium Ticket Office, priced at £5.00 for adults and £1.00 for concessions.