Sharp shooter John Barry Nusum is likely to lead the line for Bermuda when he makes his international return against Cayman Islands.

The prolific striker had been mooted as an emergency defender but with full-back Kevin Richards slotting in seamlessly at centre-half, coach Keith Tucker will now look for Nusum to ignite his attack.

A lack of firepower against Puerto Rico concerned Tucker and with slight injury worries over Stephen Astwood and Aljame Zuill, much of the goalscoring responsibilities could rest on Nusum's broad shoulders.

"John will be a big boost for us and he has a real attacking presence," said Tucker. "It may be a waste to play him in defence. He's always been a goalscorer and I'm getting very comfortable with my defence now. John's ready to play and I'm ready to see him play."

"I haven't talked to John about his role within the team, but most likely it will be as a striker. Stevie (Astwood) has a slight hamstring injury and Aljame (Zuill) has a back strain so we will be monitoring them.

"It's important to make use of our home advantage and leave here with a win and some goals. We've been working on our finishing in training as everyone needs something extra."

Philadelphia Kixx star Nusum, who needs one goal to tie Shaun Goater as Bermuda's top goalscorer in World Cup qualifying, arrives on the Island on Wednesday and will join up with the squad, which is now training twice a-day.

Nusum captained Bermuda on his last international outing against Canada, but midfield schemer Kwame Steede should be fit to resume his armband duties.

Steede, who missed the doubleheader against Puerto Rico, played the last 20-minutes of Devonshire Cougars victory over Somerset Trojans on Friday night, and Tucker admitted it was reassuring to see his chief lieutenant back in action.

"I'm feeling confident about Sunday and it's good to see my captain (Steede) back on form and running about the field," said Tucker. "This is the most talented team I've ever coached and I can't wait for the match. There's a lot of excitement and camaraderie in the camp."

Former Howard University coach Tucker has hailed Sunday's showdown against Cayman as the biggest challenge of his coaching career, and despite the opposition's 191st FIFA ranking he knows Bermuda can ill-afford to take them lightly.

"To be part of the World Cup really gets the heart beating," he said. "I was never part of it as a player but now I have the chance to play my part as a coach.

"I reached the college semi-finals in the US with Howard University, but that can't compare to what's around the corner.

"Cayman are a mystery but a lot of the players from the last World Cup campaign know about them. I know they're are under the tutelage of some Brazilian coaches but whether they are going to play the Brazilian way we don't know.

"They also have Carl Brown as their technical director who is very well respected."