Bermuda football coach Michael Findlay is adamant the door remains firmly open for Nahki Wells to make a sensational return to the national team.

The former captain has not featured internationally since Bermuda’s disappointing 2-0 Nations League defeat to Guyana at the Flora Duffy Stadium in March last year.

The 33-year-old stepped back from the national side in order to focus on his club career with Bristol City but stopped short of confirming his impending retirement.

“I’m just looking to perhaps step back from international football for a little while and just see where it takes me. There is no official retirement as yet, but I also can’t promise I will be playing again,” Wells previously told The Royal Gazette.

“My thought process right now is that if there is a really important game and the team really need me then perhaps I’ll be available.

“Who knows what the future may hold, this may end up being my last game, it may not, like I said I don’t have a definitive answer on anything like my official retirement.”

While that has remained the case to date, the forward could perhaps be tempted to return as Bermuda prepare to take a major step towards qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

Ahead of naming his squad for the opening round of fixtures in the second stage of the Concacaf qualification, which will see Bermuda travel to Antigua & Barbuda before hosting group favourites Honduras in June, Findlay revealed Wells remains firmly in his thoughts for selection.

“The door is 100 per cent open for Nahki to make a return to the national team,” said the head coach. “We keep in regular contact and have a good relationship.”

Despite his willingness to welcome Wells back into the fold, Findlay concedes the decision remains solely with the player.

“What I will say is that the decision is for Nahki to make,” he added. “I’m not going to pressure any player to make themselves available, but if he comes to us and says he wants to be involved again then of course we would welcome him back.”

The second fixture window in June of next year will include the visit of Cayman Islands before concluding with an away game against Cuba. Following the conclusion of the group stage, only the winners and runners-up from each of the six groups will automatically progress through to the final stage of qualification.