Former Premier League star Stern John believes Trinidad and Tobago can exploit the extra space at the National Sports Centre – and is glad to see the back of the artificial surface they played on in the first leg.

The Southampton striker reckons the small sized synthetic pitch at the Marvin Lee Stadium, in Macoya, played into Bermuda's hands last weekend and contributed to their 2-1 victory.

He said he expected the Gombey Warriors to sit back and defend their slender lead, but was confident of Trinidad sweeping them aside and winning by the two goal margin required to reach the next stage.

"It's a massive game for us and it's important we keep our composure," John told The Royal Gazette. "Obviously we need to win by two clear goals and do it within 90 minutes.

"I think on a grass pitch you will see a different Trinidad and it will make a huge difference for us.

"In Trinidad we played on an artificial pitch that is a lot smaller than Bermuda's stadium.

"As a result they were able to sit back and defend. To be fair to them they did their homework and we missed a couple of chances.

"We know we need to be a lot more clinical and I'm confident of getting a good result."

John, who was still practicing his shooting long after the rest of his team-mates had finished training yesterday at North Field, insisted the players had not been distracted by the on-going feud between the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) and the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs.

"Players aren't supposed to worry about stuff off the pitch," he said.

"It's all quite disappointing but as a player you just concentrate on playing."

He added: "There's a lot more to come from me and I should have had a hat-trick in the first leg.

"As long as I get the chances I'll put them in the back of net.

"A couple of years ago we could have beaten Bermuda five-nil without even showing up," he said.

"Nowadays you always have to show up."

Trinidad have surprisingly dropped professional goalkeeper Clayton Ince from the squad for tomorrow's match. Ince plays for English side Walsall FC in League One.