Making your international debut against one of the best teams in the region with a place in the Gold Cup at stake is likely to be an intimidating experience.

But that will be Julian Carpenter’s reality when he steps into the heart of the Bermuda defence in the Concacaf Gold Cup preliminary round first leg against Honduras at Flora Duffy Stadium tomorrow night (8pm).

With Danté Leverock and Harry Twite injured for the two-leg play-off, Carpenter appears highly likely to earn his first Bermuda cap against Honduras. Given his height and physical presence, the Paget defender could almost be considered a like-for-like replacement for Leverock.

“I’m pretty excited to make my debut in such a kind of match,” the 29-year-old told The Royal Gazette.

“This will be my first time playing in such an important match and hopefully I can help my team progress to the Gold Cup.

“I’ve earned my right to be here and I’m going to try to prove on Friday that I have what it takes to fill the shoes that Danté and Harry left.

“I bring physicality and speed to the team. My type of play is best suited to playing against a team like Honduras and I’m going to ensure that, when given a chance, I cement my spot in the team.”

The left-footed defender was an unused substitute when Bermuda lost 6-1 against Dominican Republic in November and while Michael Findlay’s side missed out on automatic qualification to the Gold Cup, they had already done enough to get a second bite of the cherry, with Honduras now standing in their way.

“I know what to expect and that’s quick and physical play,’’ the potential debutant said.

“As a team, we hope that we can withstand the pressure that they’re going to put on us. I want to use my height advantage and do my best to help us qualify for the Gold Cup.”

The rangy defender was given an opportunity to impress Findlay during the domestic camp last month, when a Bermuda Select XI took on two teams from the United States. Carpenter played 90 minutes in the first match against Portland Hearts of Pine and was taken off in the 70th minute against Rhode Island.

But Carpenter’s journey to international football has not followed a conventional route as he has not represented his country at any other level.

“I used to be a left back when I was at PHC,” he said.

“A few years ago I was moved to centre back by my coach at Paget when I went over to help them get promoted. I guess that’s where I shone the best because that’s where I got my recognition from.”

With the clock ticking down to the big match on Friday, Carpenter has made a passionate plea for the fans to turn out in their numbers to back the Gombey Warriors.

“Just come out and show your support because we’ll need that,” Carpenter said.

“We have a very good chance in this match and that little extra support could push us through to get the victory.”

Carpenter is part of a Paget side performing with credit this season. The Dudley Eve Trophy finalists reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup and still have a chance of finishing in the top four in the Premier Division with three matches left to play.

“We achieved our goal, which was not getting relegated, so that’s done,” he said.

“That was the main thing that we were worried about. We made it to the FA Cup semi-finals, where we lost to Cougars, but the season has been a success for us.”