John Barry Nusum's move indoors has received the full backing of national coach Kyle Lightbourne.

His predecessor at the helm Kenny Thompson refused to pick fellow indoor player David Bascome, claiming the game was very different, but Lightbourne has no such qualms.

"I have no problem picking John Barry," said Lightbourne, when asked if the striker's move from the A-League Toronto Lynx to Philadelphia KiXX in the Major Indoor Soccer League would affect his chances of donning the national jersey.

"He is playing full-time soccer and, for me, that is the most important thing. Kenny Thompson had his view and this is my view ? I think it is a good move for the player."

Lightbourne admitted Nusum wouldn't be called back for next month's proposed friendlies but said Nusum would be in the squad for competitive football if the Digicel Cup scheduled for the hurricane-hit Cayman did ever get going.

"If a player is in a full-time environment then it will be good for their game and therefore good for Bermuda," said Lightbourne, who has already included Bascome of the Baltimore Blast in his initial training squad.

"I think indoor soccer will improve his sharpness and his speed ? and make him more nimble. I have watched a few of the games on TV and it is a good standard. There are a lot of set-pieces in the game and I think he can do well there.

"Some people think that it is only older players who play in that form of football but that isn't the case, and there is a good skill level there.

"He will benefit enormously from being in a full-time environment ? he is playing soccer for a living and that is going to be good for everyone."

Lightbourne's endorsement of Nusum's move is in contrast to Thompson's view, with the former national coach only considering Bascome for selection when it looked like he would sign for an outdoor side.

"Consideration would have to be given to how he would adapt from the indoor to the outdoor game and that's it," said Thompson at the time, in the midst of rumours of national squad discontent over Bascome's exclusion.

"They are very different and adaptation would have to be made."

Nusum signed for indoor side the KiXX earlier this week and his season will kick off a week on Saturday against Cleveland Force, before taking on Bascome's Blast the following Friday.

And the striker is on an increasing list of Bermuda players seeking to play abroad.

Seeking to follow in the giant footsteps of Clyde Best and Shaun Goater, a number of young players have been seeking contracts overseas with Damon Ming on the verge of signing for non-league Barnet and Stephen Astwood, Khano Smith and Kevin Richards all having trials in the UK this summer.

Nusum, himself, had a brief trial with Grimsby Town this summer ? a new trend which is very much to coach Lightbourne's liking.