After a blazing start to the new US indoor season Bermuda's third overseas soccer professional -- Shawn Goater and Kyle Lightbourne are the others -- David Bascome has been shelved by injury.

Bascome, who plays for the Harrisburg Heat of the National Professional Soccer League's American Division, has already garnered four goals and four assists in as many games.

But he was hurt just over a week ago when he was tackled from behind during a match against National Division rivals Wichita.

The original prognosis was a suspected broken fibula. However, x-rays revealed no break, but did show ligament damage in the ankle that will likely keep the Bermudian out of action for at least three weeks.

"That was a relief for me and the coach,'' said Bascome, who went through the 1994-95 season virtually injury free after the previous two years saw his career jeopardised by a lower back problem.

"I'll probably be out for three weeks, but there's a lot of games left and the season is still young.

"We're confident of making the play-offs and my coach said he wants me back for the play-off run. They're telling me to take it easy because they want me back at full strength.'' Bascome said that the ankle was still very tender, but he was able to get around without crutches and is due to start intense therapy on Monday, which would likely involve work on a treadmill as well in a pool.

It will likely be at least two weeks before he is given permission to start running on the road or anything strenuous.

Despite the setback, Bascome was surprisingly upbeat, which was in stark contrast to the period when he had the back problems.

"Two years ago it would have been a big concern for me, having just come into the league and not knowing my status, but right now I'm very secure with my job in Harrisburg,'' said Bascome, armed with a new two-year guaranteed contract.

He was also confident of a return trip to the play-offs, after last year saw them reach the final before being swept in four straight games by St. Louis in the best-of-seven series.

This despite a slow start that has the Heat fourth in their division with a 2-4 record.

"We have a very good team and picked up Canadian national squad player Dominic Mobilio, a real goalscorer,'' said the 26-year-old Bermudian, who recently married the former Kelly Trott.

"He's not too skillful, but gets around the net and is an opportunist and last year in the play-offs we needed that kind of player.

"Basically, we're looking to get a championship and feel like we have the team to do it.'' Asked if he was keen to get involved in the Major Soccer League due to begin operating next year, Bascome was unsure, saying that he had several outside activities that occupied his time during that period.

Bascome operates several coaching camps in Pennsylvania including the Foreign Touch Clinic together with the one in Bermuda with Goater during the summer period and said that he would rather continue to involve himself with coaching the young and putting back into the community.

He noted how he had a "rough'' upbringing and felt obligated to reach out and offer such programmes for the underprivileged.

"I'm dealing with inner city kids and coaching is what I really want to do,'' he said.

Harrisburg were due to take on Detroit away last night before returning home to face Cincinnati.

DAVID BASCOME -- organising coaching courses for youngsters remains one of his priorities.