BLACKBURN Hawks are set to seal the signing of an overseas star.

But Jon Adams’ transfer will not be completed in time for Sunday’s clash with rivals Billingham Stars at the Blackburn Arena (5.45pm).

The Canadian forward, 24, comes highly recommended to Hawks player-coach Jared Owen who has been chasing Adams – who holds Swedish citizenship – for a month and is delighted to have finally got his man.

The transfer has been made possible after Adams paid his own air fare and after two Hawks fans agreed to put the hotshot up during his stay in Blackburn.

Adams, who has been plying his trade in Canada, will be presented to the Hawks faithful at Sunday’s clash with Billingham.

But he will have to wait for his international clearance to come through before he can make his bow on the ice.

Owen said: “It will be a good chance for Jon to meet our fans and see our set-up.

“He’s had got some very impressive stats in Canada and I’m hoping he will make an immediate impact.

“He is desperate to come and play for us and we look forward to seeing him out there on the ice.”

Sunday’s clash will be the fourth time the Hawks and the Stars have met so far this season.

The previous three meetings finished 2-1 – with both sides earning a win in the NLN Cup and Billingham coming out on top when the teams faced off in the league last month.

Owen expects another close encounter.

But he knows it is one his fifth-placed side must edge if they are to keep pace with the second-placed Stars and table-topping Solway Sharks.

Owen said: “It’s a game I’m really looking forward to and if we can get the two points it would really put us back in the mix. So in that respect it is a massive match for us.

“Both teams have very good netminders and that eliminates the offensive nature of both teams.

“I think it will come down to which team puts the puck away when they get a chance.

“If we can do that we will be four points behind Billingham with a game in hand.

“We’ve then got games against Sutton and Whitley Bay so it is a good chance to get on a run and get back up the table.”