Bermuda's top marksmen, Raymond Beach and Heys Wolffe, both failed to respond to invitations to join the senior national squad, according to newly-appointed national coach Kenny Thompson.

The dynamic Devonshire Cougars strikers, the most prolific goalscorers in local football over the past two seasons, were both invited along with 25 other players to prepare for Bermuda's World Cup campaign early next year and competitions beyond.

But Thompson confirmed yesterday that neither had replied despite a follow-up call to Cougars' technical director.

"I have personally spoken to every player that was invited to the national team, including Raymond Beach and Heys Wolffe," said Thompson. "However, Raymond and Heys are the only players that did not respond to my invitation despite follow-up calls to their club technical director to assist in getting them involved.

"There is not more that he can do and certainly not more that I can do if they are not responding.

"From this I can only conclude that they are not interested in playing with the national team, although their reasons I am not sure of.

"This is very unfortunate as they are both players that have a lot of potential. However, the programme must go on and Raymond and Heys are the only persons that can speak of their absence."

Beach and Wolffe were the most notable absentees from Thompson's squad which is heavily weighted towards youth.

Besides veterans Kentoine Jennings, Meshach Wade, Dwayne Adams and Troy Hall, many of the players are in their teens or early 20s.

Thompson noted yesterday that it was important that players who were "willing and motivated" to train with the squad were given the opportunity.

"Far too often team building has been held in limbo while waiting for players who do not show an interest to suddenly turn up," said the coach.

"The players that have responded have displayed tremendous desire to play with the national team and as such those are the players that Bermuda can trust will give their all.

"I certainly know that many will have opinions on who should be selected . . . but I cannot be caught up in public opinion when doing my job.

"I am, though, always looking for players that can make an impact on the national team and hopefully this will have a positive impact on club players if those players who have a desire to get selected prepare themselves well enough with their clubs that they can be impressive enough when representing their club to eventually be selected.

"I believe Shaun Goater's career demonstrates what I am speaking about.

"Public opinion in Bermuda is that he should be in the starting line-up but public opinion has never allowed Shaun to be lulled into not continuing to persevere to prove his worth."

Thompson pointed out that all players selected for the national squad had met with himself, BFA president Larry Mussenden and general secretary David Sabir when the demands of the national programme were outlined.

"Conditions of agreement include training and behaviour demands, the process of dealing with injuries sustained while participating in national team activities and drug testing in accordance with the Bermuda Council for drug Free Sport as well as FIFA, the world governing body," said Thompson.

"The players have accepted these conditions."