Somerset Trojans and Bermuda national team forward Damon Ming has moved one step closer to realising a lifelong dream of playing professional football.

Executives at North London side Barnet FC have sought clearance from Bermuda immigration officials to pave the way for the diminutive striker ? who played a key role in the Island?s World Cup qualifying campaign earlier this year ? to play for the current English Nationwide Conference league leaders.

Ming, 25, led the Trojans in scoring last season and netted a memorable hat-trick on his World Cup debut for Bermuda against Montserrat at the National Sports Centre earlier this year.

A graduate of High Point University, he is currently training with Barnet along with fellow Bermuda international Kevin Richards.

In the past, the pacy frontman has had trials with the Atlanta Silverbacks in the US and earlier this summer at English Division Two side Oxford United.

The English Nationwide Conference in which Barnet play is just a step below the Third Division.

?Ming hasn?t signed any contract yet and at the moment it appears as though Barnet are seeking clearance to have him play either with them or for another club because I do know they (Barnet) were looking at the possibility of loaning him out to another club,? explained Paul Scope, a key figure in arranging for local players to undergo trials in the UK this summer.

?Barnet have been doing so well in the league but they don?t have a reserve team. Damon is making good progress and the club have sought his international clearance which is certainly good news,? he added.

?He?s doing terrific and making great progress and he?s training every day. He loves it and they love him and he?s now looking to force his way into the team. But the really good news is that Barnet have sought his international clearance and if Damon is going to get signed then he might be loaned to another club to get some match practise because the coaching staff (at Barnet) have yet to see him in a match situation . . . except for 45 minutes, I think.?

As for Richards, Scope said: ?It?s also good to hear Kevin is back in training with them. He started back this week after sustaining an Achilles injury (to his right foot). Damon confirmed Kevin was back in training and that his ankle was fine. And both of them should be in great shape for the senior national team in the Cayman Islands next month (Caribbean Cup).?

It is understood Ming has already been released by the Trojans.