Andrew Bascome, the Bermuda coach, believes the stage is set for Nahki Wells to fire his team into the third round of the World Cup qualifiers.

Bascome hopes the Huddersfield Town striker will declare himself fit for Bermuda’s “must-win” game against Guatemala at the National Stadium tomorrow night.

Wells missed Bermuda’s determined display in Friday’s first leg in Guatemala City — which ended in an goalless draw — because of an ankle injury he picked up training last week.

Bascome, whose team returned to the Island last night, insists his team will go straight for the jugular against Guatemala and wants his star player on the pitch to terrorise the Central Americans.

“We’re the only team out of two who have a million-pound striker,” said Bascome, whose squad headed straight to Grotto Bay Beach Resort from the LF Wade International Airport.

“Maybe it will be Nahki’s turn now because the stage is set for him. The first question I was asked in Guatemala was, ‘where is Nahki Wells?’

“They didn’t ask about anyone else because he has the reputation; he’s playing at a high level and he’s a fantastic player.

“We went there without him and brought back a good result and I’m sure [tomorrow’s game] is something he will relish.”

Wells, who spent yesterday morning signing autographs at Sports Locker on Queen Street, told The Royal Gazette last week he was desperate to play a part in the home leg, providing his ankle was “100 per cent”.

With or without the Bermuda captain, Bascome said he would be setting his team up with an attacking mindset.

“We’re at home and we must attack, with Nahki or not,” Bascome said. “We’ll have more of an attacking mindset because we have to go for a win. There will be no complacency on our part.”

With the return leg just two days after his team’s backs-to-the-wall performance in high altitude and pouring rain in Guatemala, Bascome admits he may have to introduce some fresh legs.

“We have to make sure the players get rest, eat well and recover,” he said.

“We don’t want to keep them on their legs too much, so we will be doing some blackboard work and reassuring them mentally.

“It’s a different game and the supporters will see some players who you didn’t see in Guatemala.”

Freddy Hall, who wore the captain’s armband in Wells’s absence, believes the Bermuda public can be the side’s 12th man against Guatemala, who are 33 places above Bermuda in the Fifa rankings.

“People don’t understand just how a big a role the crowd can play,” Hall said. “It’s so important for the players to have the fans pushing us on and a full house will be great.”

Hall, who played for Telford United in the Vanarama Conference Premier last season, admits Bermuda enjoyed a few “lucky breaks” against Guatemala who had three goals disallowed.

“The task is not easy and we’re only halfway there,” said the goalkeeper, who made a string of fine saves to keep the score level.

“The conditions weren’t easy in Guatemala, the pitch was heavy and the rain was coming down so hard we couldn’t even warm up.

“They created a lot of chances, we can’t take that away from them, but in football you have to make the most of your lucky breaks.

“We were going back and forth with them in the first half and they came at us in waves in the second, although we managed to weather the storm.”

The match kicks off at 7.30pm.