Injuries to three key players and the unavailability of one other have reduced Bermuda’s national cricket squad heading to Trinidad today from 18 to 14.

But Bermuda Cricket Board said over the weekend that all four should be ready for the World One-Day League matches in Kenya at the end of the month and through the first week of February.

Most worrying of the injuries is that of all-rounder Saleem Mukuddem, arguably the most consistent player in the squad during November’s tour of Kenya and South Africa.

The medium pacer and middle order bat has suffered a lower back injury and, according to the BCB, will remain in Bermuda “to undergo a CT scan in order to confirm initial reports that he does not have a stress fracture”.

Opener Stephen Outerbridge, meanwhile, has suffered a foot injury but, say the BCB, is “expected to be fully fit in two weeks.”

The squad’s other casualty is pace bowler Stefan Kelly who is hoping to recover from a thigh strain within seven to 10 days.

Spin bowler Rodney Trott is the other squad member not travelling to Trinidad because of “educational requirements.”

A Board statement released on Saturday noted that “all of these players are expected to be fully fit and available for selection for the tour to Kenya at the end of the month.”

Earlier this month, the BCB selectors added four new players to the squad for the trip to Trinidad — OJ Pitcher, Delyone Borden, Arthur Pitch and Azeem Pitcher — and dropped spin bowler Hasan Durham.

The squad, now reduced to 14, leave for the Caribbean today where they will train every day as well as play a number of matches against local club sides.

They’re due to return on January 19, but will be heading out again just five days later bound for Kenya where they will play a warm-up match against Uganda on January 28 and then face five World One-Day League matches in the space of seven days.

Their first match is against hosts Kenya on January 30 followed by games against Ireland (January 31), Canada (February 2), Netherlands (February 4), and Scotland (February 5).

The One-Day League final is scheduled for February 7 between the top two sides from round robin competition.