Kyle Lightbourne might finally get his wish after all ? his strongest possible XI for next September?s Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Digicel Cup tournament in the Dominican Republic.

Since taking over the national coaching post from predecessor Kenny Thompson, Lightbourne ? for one reason or another ? has been denied the chance to showcase the Island?s full potential on the international stage.

However, that may all become a thing of the past as the likes of Shaun Goater, David Bascome, Damon Ming, John Barry Nusum, Damon Ming, Kevin Richards and Khano Smith will all be at the coach?s disposal in the fall.

Last year, Bermuda defeated Cayman Islands 2-1, drew 3-3 with hosts St.Vincent and were then bundled out of the previous Digicel Cup regional competition by way of a 2-0 loss to British Virgin Islands (BVI).

To add insult to injury, Bermuda then had a verbal request for a probe into the composition of the BVI squad fall upon death ears.

There were many who felt Bermuda entered the competition overconfident coming up against teams below them in the FIFA rankings.

National coach Lightbourne disagreed.

?I wouldn?t say that was the case. We knew beforehand what to expect from some of the teams as Paul Scope (assistant national coach) went and watched as many matches as he possibly could involving all the countries we were due to play against in the Digicel,? he said.

?We did our homework, but it was just that one game that ultimately cost us.?

Lightbourne, 37, was alluding to the 2-0 loss to BVI which saw Bermuda dominate for long spells but repeatedly miss golden opportunities to score.

?We missed a penalty and had a goal disallowed,? he added.

The former Coventry City striker hopes to finally set the record straight when Bermuda travel to the Dominican Republic in September to face the hosts, US Virgin Island and BVI in the CONCACAF Gold Cup qualifiers.

Jamaica are defending CFU Digicel Cup champions while USA are the current CONCACAF Gold Cup champions.

Though it?s still early days, Lightbourne is expected to travel to the Dominican Republic with several veterans of the previous Digicel Cup campaign in the Caribbean.

?We just have to wait and see. But our intention is to pick the strongest squad available,? he said.

Bermuda?s previous Digicel Cup campaign was plagued by misfortune as PHC Zebras striker Antwon Russell refused to travel with the squad out of fear of flying, Goater was duped into staying to play for Reading by assistant manager Kevin Dillion ? something that never materialised ? before a plethora of missed chances and Khano Smith?s injury conspired against Island?s bid for success.

?But this time around I?m looking to have a full squad to select from,? said Lightbourne, whose contract as national coach expires at the end of May.

?We have players who have played at the professional level. Damon (Ming) has been in the UK for nearly two years while Shaun (Goater) has obviously learned a lot during his time there.

?So we?re definitely looking to have our strongest team possible, something I?ve wanted all along.?

The national squad is presently training twice weekly.

Lightbourne plans to scout the Island?s Digicel opposition over the upcoming months.

?It?s important we go and have a look at who were going to be up against,? he said.