Kwame Steede will pull on a Bermuda Hogges jersey for the first time in three years next week and is urging for more of the Island’s veteran players to do the same.Steede believes the Hogges team should bear as close a resemblance as possible to the senior national side that takes part in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers later this year.However, for that to happen, a few more seasoned campaigners need to join the likes of Domico Coddington, Lashun Dill and Darius Cox in the Hogges squad, which is set to be named tomorrow.Steede, who skippered the side during their inaugural 2007 season, said: “It’s been a while since I pulled on a Hogges shirt ... I’d like to see a few more of the older guys come out, particularly the senior defenders.“It can only be good for Bermuda football to have the younger guys and the older guys mixing it up together. I think we have a good youthful team, I just think we need a few more senior guys to come out as well.”The 30-year-old doubts whether his battle-weary body will last the entire Hogges season. The Devonshire Cougars player-coach needs a knee operation but wants to put off going under the knife for as long as possible so to help his young team-mates prepare for the World Cup qualifiers.“Devarr Boyles (BFA youth director) talked me about his plans ahead of the World Cup and got me back involved with the Hogges,” said the midfielder. “It’s all about preparing for the bigger picture ahead which is the World Cup qualifiers that’s the biggest motivation for me.“I’m looking forward to the challenge and I’ll be ready for next week’s game, although I might have to go under the knife later in the season.”Although Steede decided to take a break from playing for the Hogges after the 2008 season, he has always appreciated the value of having an Island-based outfit competing in an overseas league. And he’s adamant the-powers-that-be must do everything they can to safeguard the franchise’s long-term future in the wake of Hogges co-owner Paul Scope recent warning they could disband due to funding problems.“It’s so important for the Hogges to continue, it’s the closest thing to professional sports in Bermuda,” said Steede. “It offers regular football at a competitive level and for me it’s a must they keep it going.”Meanwhile, John Barry Nusum insists he will not be playing for the Hogges this summer despite joining them for pre-season training. Bermuda’s top goalscorer in World Cup qualifying football said he was merely maintaining his fitness.Hogges take on Reading United in their first game of the Premier Development League (PDL) campaign next Friday at BFA Field. United have won the first two games of the season and are top of the Eastern Conference Mid Atlantic Division.Hogges’ Tuesday night training squad: A Russell, J Bather, R Lee, D Andrade, T Tucker, L Simmons, K Bean, R DeShields, A Simmons, D Ming, D Cox, L Dill, S Darrell, M Waldron, T Steede, N Wells, J Nusum, C Castle, T Walker, C Caisey, D Coddington (sidelines).