DAVID Howell feels things are finally moving in the right direction as he prepares to tee off in the Trophee Hassan in Morocco today.

The 42-year-old came off the back of a month away from the course to record a tied 39th finish at the Open de Espana last week.

That result signalled a third cut made in four tournaments for the two-time Ryder Cup winner, as he slowly plots a return to form after a turbulent few years where he has struggled with injury.

“Last week was a really positive week. I played lovely over the weekend as well, even though my scores didn’t really reflect how I played,” he said.

“After having a month off, my body felt a bit better, so that was great. It was another step in the right direction – I’ve made three cuts out of four now.

“I’m feeling a little bit better and I am starting to build some momentum in the right way. I was hoping to get 10 under, that didn’t happen but the ball will drop at some point.

“It would have been nice to finish one or two better but in terms of building things up, it’s all about getting some rounds on the board.”

With a renewed sense of confidence, Howell is aiming for the same again in Morocco, where he will tee off at 8.20am BST alongside fellow Englishman Paul Waring and South Africa’s Thomas Aiken.

Howell, who had been struggling with a back problem during the 2017 European Tour season, says some progress has been made on that front as he admits his body is feeling stronger than it has previously.

“I’ll be aiming to do the same again this week. Confidence is a notch higher and I just want to put a solid week of golf in,” he added.

“I always say top 45 is a result. Making a cut something but if you finish last there isn’t much point, so 45 is a requirement to be somewhat happy with things.

“It would be nice to get a top 10, it has been a while since one of those and you always have little goals, but it is all about putting some nice rounds together.

“Things are slowly starting to turn in my favour, I’m turning the ship around. The body is feeling a lot better.

“I actually practised a few days after I played last week which is the first time I have done that in 18 months.”

Fellow Wiltshire players Jordan Smith, from Derry Hill, and Laurie Canter, from the Cumberwell Park club near Bradford on Avon are also in the field in Morocco.