The onus is on Martonmere Cup champions Devonshire Colts to restore pride in the local camp.

Faced with the task of taking on a Jamaican side that recorded a slim 2-1 win over defending Premier Division champions North Village on Boxing Day, Colts' skipper Shannon Burgess is pinning his hopes for success on team character.

"This team prides itself on challenges," Burgess boldly declared ahead of the game at the National Sports Centre (3 p.m.).

"Even though we may be up against players that are probably better prepared, hopefully, that character will help us to eliminate any deficiencies that might arise."

One of only two players in the team who have experienced senior international football - the other being reliable defender MacKonnen Hollis - Burgess knows precisely what is required to make the transition from local to national team soccer.

"It is a big step to go from local football to international football," he said.

"But I am pretty confident that we will rise to the challenge and give a good account of ourselves. All we ask is that we go out there, play our best and have some fun and make both our fans and the country proud."

Skipper Burgess also reckons players may have to make a few adjustments if they are to come out on top of their Caribbean counterparts.

"As far as the team is concerned it's probably going to be a challenge to get our players to play at an optimum level because most of them have not yet played at the international level," he pointed out.

"So I think that we will have to try and make some adjustments on the field. Some of them may have played at the under-23 level with Burkhard Zeis (former Bermuda Football Association technical director) but that was quite some time ago."

Colts played to a 1-1 draw against Bermuda's Under 23 national team on Boxing Day as they prepared for tomorrow's clash.

"We had a fairly good training session yesterday (Thursday)," said Burgess. "And we've played together all season so we are obviously going to look to playing as a unit to ensure that we adhere to the game plan that the coach has set out."

Burgess said Jamaica were a `drilled team'.

"Training twice a day, they are obviously going to develop their individual skills to a point were they are probably more superior when playing in an amateur setting," he said.

"So as far as the local teams are concerned, and my team is concerned, we are going to have to combat the fact that they have been training and preparing themselves in a professional setting and look to play as a unit.

"They have a few players who are really fast and they also have some players who are very skilful," he added, referring to the likes of Wolry Wolfe, the scorer of Jamaica's first goal against North Village on Boxing Day.

"That was a bit of individual skill and it takes time to get to that level, to be able to get around in the box and work a piece of magic like that."

Burgess said Colts had to defend as a unit and ensure that there was cover if the Jamaicans mounted a quick break.

"Obviously, we have to try and minimise their chances and try to get the better of them whenever we go forward," he added.

There will be a few familiar faces absent from Colts line-up tomorrow due to the timing of the fixture and the fact that some players remain on the treatment table.

"Unfortunately, we do still have one or two injuries and we had a few players travel abroad over the Christmas holiday," said Burgess.

Among those expected to miss the contest are Mark Ray, `keeper Khabir Dill, striker Julian Francis and Keenan Burchall.

On a positive note, Colts will welcome highly rated `keeper Cymande Davis back into the camp.

Skipper Burgess said the club may also turn back the hands of time in a bid to fill the voids.

"We have flirted with the idea of possibly inviting one or two former players to play with us but we haven't still decided just yet," he said.

Amid mounting speculation, speedy forward Quincy Aberdeen may very well be one of those to receive the nudge.

Jamaica close out their three match tour series against Bermuda on New Year's Day at the same venue.