Andrew Bascome, the Bermuda coach, has warned his Island-based players that they must increase their desire and commitment or risk being embarrassed by Bahamas in the World Cup qualifying first round.

Bascome has expressed his concerns about the motivation of his players after some members of his provisional squad arrived late or did not show up at all to last week’s two-day training camp.

Bermuda, who are ranked 16 places higher than Bahamas in the Fifa world rankings in 179th position, will be the heavy favourites to advance over the two legs to be played between March 23 and 31. However, Bascome said that complacency has long been Bermuda’s biggest enemy and believes his players would be “fools” to underestimate the threat posed by Bahamas.

“One of my biggest concerns is our desire to win,” said Bascome, who will be leading Bermuda in a qualifying campaign for the first time.

“It’s not a bad [first round] draw for us but I have my concerns. We will be fools to think we just have to turn up and win. It just doesn’t happen like that and Bahamas will be tricky.”

Bascome’s blueprint for success is to supplement overseas-based professionals such as Nahki Wells, Reggie Lambe, Freddy Hall and Jonté Smith with a strong foundation of local players.

But he fears that some of his local contingent are resting on their laurels, a by-product of playing week in, week out in a domestic league that does not always challenge the top players.

“Some of our players are too laid back,” said Bascome, who coaches Devonshire Cougars in the Premier Division.

“How do I know this? Players are late for training, not showing up for training, walking around the pitch.

“We have some players who aren’t forced to train at their clubs locally but still play because they have the ability. That’s dangerous and it’s not acceptable at the international level.

“To all of those so-called superstars, particularly the attacking players, there is no place for you here.

“Guys like Nahki Wells, Reggie Lambe and Jonté Smith have a different mindset and [the Island-based players] need to learn that.”

A lack of talent is not an issue for Bermuda, according to Bascome, but he insists that he would rather pick 20 hard-working players than those with inflated reputations at the domestic level.

“If we’re not prepared to put the work in and use our talent then we will be embarrassed,” Bascome said.

“If these players are not prepared to work then I won’t pick them. I’m not biting my tongue, I’m being real. I won’t drop my standards, I’m not changing. We can’t get away it at this level because we’re not that good.”

The other qualifying first-round pairings are Barbados v US Virgin Islands; Belize v Cayman Islands; British Virgin Islands v Dominica; Curacao v Montserrat; Turks and Caicos Islands v St Kitts and Nevis. Bermuda would meet Guatemala in the second round in June should they defeat Bahamas.