Bermuda international Khano Smith will sign for Lincoln City on a short-term contract until January after impressing during trials at the English League Two side.

The 28-year-old winger is awaiting international clearance and could make his Imps debut against struggling Torquay United at home next weekend.

Smith has been a free agent since being cast into the footballing wilderness after being released by Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit New York Red Bulls.

He played two reserve matches for Lincoln last month, prior to the appointment of new coach Chris Sutton a fortnight ago.

Sutton yesterday tipped Smith to cause problems for lower league defences with his pace and power.

"Khano has certainly impressed me in the last 10 days," said the former England and Blackburn Rovers striker.

"He's direct, he has a good attitude to training, his fitness levels are good and there is definitely potential there.

"He has a trick and he can go past people, so weighing it all up, he certainly has something to offer. Of course, there are aspects of his game he has to work on and he knows that.

"But what impresses me about him is that he wants to learn and he is willing to work. Offering him a contract until January gives us a good chance to work with him further – whether he will stay beyond that is something we will then assess. But it's a good opportunity for him."

Lincoln City vice-chairman Bob Dorrian added: "We are trying to get international clearance for Khano Smith. He is currently in the States trying to resolve a couple of issues.

"We are expecting him back by the weekend. He has been with us for a couple of weeks and is fully fit and we would hope he may even be involved in the Torquay game the week after next."

Before joining Lincoln on trial, Smith had been training with Shaun Goater's former team, Southend United, who decided not to hand him a contract after watching him play left back in their reserve team's 5-0 defeat against Norwich City.

Prior to his move to the MLS back in 2005, the ex-Dandy Town man had a string of unsuccessful trials at UK teams, although it is believed League Two side Rochdale did invite him for a second try-out before he signed for New England Revolution.