Kyle Lightbourne, the Bermuda coach, says he is very encouraged by the numbers that have turned up in training in preparation for the island’s opening 2022 World Cup qualifying group matches against Canada and Aruba.

The national team resumed training last month after the Government eased Covid-19 restrictions imposed early last December.

“I have been encouraged with the turnouts that we have had,” Lightbourne said. “We have had our full quota of players; two in pretty much every department, so it’s been very encouraging and may the work continue.

“Even though we have our challenges with the way we have to train and all of that with the way Covid is, it’s been very encouraging.”

Lightbourne has been also uplifted by the level of enthusiasm shown by the players, particularly among those trying to stake a permanent spot in the national squad.

“I think what’s been noticeable for me is the players that, where I would say are a bit-part of the squad — like in the squad but not playing regular — the players that were not a part of it that want to do a part of it, and the players that were involved, have shown them what it takes to sort of be at that level,” he added.

“So the players that were not involved are making the players that were a bit-part or a part of it say ‘these guys are serious, they want a position’, so that’s very encouraging.”

Bermuda are scheduled to begin their campaign with a match away to group B favourites Canada on March 25 before hosting Aruba at the National Sports Centre on March 30. They will then face Surinam and Cayman Islands in their remaining group qualifying matches.

The fixture against Canada remains in doubt after the Canadian Government suspended airline service to Mexico and all Caribbean destinations until April 30 to combat a more contagious variant of Covid-19.

All attempts by The Royal Gazette to obtain comment on the situation from the Bermuda Football Association have been met with silence.