Just one week before he was due to return to Bermuda, Bascome suffered a separated shoulder during his Harrisburg Heat's National Professional (indoor) Soccer League. game against Buffalo on Saturday.

"I was going to take a player on and as I got around him I lost my balance and he gave me a shove and I landed on the boards,'' explained Bascome.

Bascome said his collarbone separated about an inch from the shoulder and there was some ligament damage. The Bermudian is now wearing a brace and could be out of action for at least three weeks.

The injury is a major blow to Bascome and Bermuda as he was due to return home next Wednesday to join the Bermuda team in preparation for the Shell/Umbro Cup in Jamaica later this month.

This weekend he was also due to play for the first time in the league all-star match in Baltimore, one of the biggest honours bestowed upon him during his indoor professional career.

"Mentally this injury is taking its toll,'' said Bascome. "I was just voted to the all-stars but I'll probably still go down anyway. Just to have gotten a chance to play with all those good players would have been a pleasure.'' Bascome was equally disappointed at missing Bermuda's return to international competition. If Bermuda get through the qualifying round, he hopes to be fit enough to be considered for the tournament's next stage.

Bascome said that rather than follow through with his plan to return to Bermuda next week he would stay in Harrisburg to have the injury treated.

"I can guarantee you they don't want me away from Harrisburg,'' he said.

"They weren't real excited about me going back (to Bermuda) and missing four or five games. But either way you look at it I'm going to miss four or five games anyway. Hopefully if Bermuda make it through the first round that I'll get a chance to be back for the second round.'' Bascome's unavailability, as well as that of Shawn Goater and Kyle Lightbourne, means that another US-based player, Paul Cann, will be the only professional in the Bermuda squad for the trip to Jamaica.

And Cann, who has just joined a new team, is also doubtful as he is still trying to establish himself with his new club.

Bascome played against Cann on Friday when Harrisburg met the Philadelphia Kicks, hammering the former division leaders 24-4.

"They've got him playing in defence but he played a good bit,'' Bascome said of Cann. "I ended up scoring two goals in that game. It was so nice to be playing against another player from Bermuda.'' In the meantime he is aiming at a quick return to action, though he realises it is more important to return fully fit in time for the play-offs.

"We've got 15 games left and we're tied for first place,'' said Bascome, pointing out the team is already certain to qualify for the play-offs.

Bascome is presently negotiating a new contract with the Heat as his present one expires at the end of this season.

"We've been negotiating for the last three or four weeks and we're still at the table,'' said the 27-year-old Bascome.

Also in the works is a possible move to an outdoor pro league. Hershey Wildcats, who are ten minutes away from Harrisburg, have made an approach to the Bermudian.

David Bascome