will be available to play for the Island in next week's qualifiers.

The news that the striker will be released by English Second Division club Stoke City to play in Bermuda's three matches against the Bahamas, the Caymans and Cuba was welcomed by national team coach Robert Calderon.

"It's good news,'' said Calderon. "It's great to have a player who we know is capable of scoring in international competitions.'' But his fellow English league professional and international strike partner Shawn Goater is unlikely to be able to team up with Lightbourne.

Goater's club Manchester City, also in the Second Division, look almost certain to be involved in promotion play-offs after the regular league fixtures finish on May 8.

But Stoke's promotion hopes are now remote, as they lie in eighth place, six points adrift of the play-off zone.

"Shawn is looking very doubtful at the moment. If I was a betting man, I'd say he wouldn't make it,'' added Calderon.

The coach added that Harrisburg Heat midfielder David Bascome's availability was still "debatable''.

But definitely flying home to join the squad next week will be goalkeeper Dwayne (Streaker) Adams, in contention with Vasco's Timmy Figureido for the number one jersey.

Adams, who turns out for North Village on visits home, is about to graduate from High Point University, North Carolina, and last month signed professional terms with Charlotte Eagles.

Lightbourne expressed his desire to play in the qualifiers after playing for Bermuda against DC United last month.

He said then: "Hopefully something can be arranged so we can play in the Cup games. If Shawn and me could be here for just one of them, it might make the difference between qualifying and not qualifying.'' Looking ahead to next week, Calderon felt his team had a good chance of a winning start against Bahamas at the National Sports Centre on Wednesday.

"We haven't played the Bahamas for many years, but from what I remember of them, I think all the other teams would expect to take three points from them,'' said Calderon.

"We played the Caymans last year and they were very physical and played with a lot of energy and commitment, so that will be a tough match.

"And Cuba always have a strong side, I don't think we have ever beaten them.'' The Bermuda players will stay together at the Stonington Beach Hotel for the duration of the tournament, rather than going home between matches.

Calderon explained: "We will try to keep everyone together to replicate what happens when we play in tournaments overseas.

"It does make a difference when everyone is in a setting where socialising can be controlled and they can focus on the football.'' And Calderon appealed to fans to get behind the team as they did in recent games against Antigua and Denmark under-23s and not get on their backs, as he felt they did against DC United.

Lightbourne gets all-clear From Page 21 "When things are not going particularly well, the Bermuda crowd can be very demanding and add to the pressure on the team,'' he said. "Then the players sometimes try things contrary to the system we want to play and it doesn't help.'' Calderon defended his squad against comments from his former international team-mate Wendell (Joe) Trott, who accused today's players of lacking dedication and of refusing to listen to coaches.

"I think for the most part we have players who are serious about their football and who really want to make a positive impact.

"Players today do question more about what you ask them to do, but I have no issue with that. It's how they question you that's important.

"Football has changed a lot and what takes place in the community also takes place in football. We have general problems we need to deal with as a country.'' Kyle Lightbourne: released by Stoke City for next week's cup tournament in Bermuda.