Danté Leverock has expressed his delight that Andrew Bascome is remaining as Bermuda’s head coach as the team prepare for Sunday’s friendly at home to Canada.

Bascome, who is unavailable for this weekend’s match — with Kyle Lightbourne, the under-20 coach, taking charge — initially said he would quit his post after Bermuda were eliminated from Scotiabank Caribbean Cup after losing a second-round game 3-0 to French Guiana in Cayenne in June.

He has since had a change of heart, with Leverock, an ever-present for Bermuda during the Caribbean Cup, believing Bascome is a “natural fit” for the top job.

“Andrew is one of the best coaches in Bermuda, everyone knows that,” Leverock said. “He’s a passionate guy and he cares about football. The players respect him, the fans respect him, and he motivates us.

“We have a system that Andrew wants us to play and if we put that into effect I think we can be competitive and hopefully get the win.”

Bermuda’s team against Canada is expected to include several of the under-20 players who helped the island qualify for the Concacaf Championship in Costa Rica next month.

Lightbourne’s under-20s have been pitted against the host country, El Salvador and Trinidad and Tobago in group C, after finishing runners-up in their group at the Caribbean Football Union Championship in Curaçao in October.

Having played against a number of Canada’s squad in the United Soccer League over the past two seasons, Leverock knows only too well how tough an opponent they will be.

“It’s important for Bermuda to get games like this,” Leverock said. “We don’t play too many friendlies because of where we’re located and it’s expensive to travel. To play against a team of Canada’s quality will be a real test for us.

“We will have a young team as some of the under-20s will be involved as they are preparing for their tournament.

“I think we can show the island that this young group coming through is something special.

“It’s major what they have achieved and they’re close to a World Cup and that’s huge.

“It’s testament to their hard work and I hope they can make a statement [at the Concacaf Championship].”

After two seasons as a defender at Harrisburg City Islanders, Leverock has decided to move to England in an effort to earn a professional contract at a Football League club.

The 24-year-old is familiar with the English game as he previously had a training stint at non-League side Ilkeston, as well attending St Mary’s University in London.

“I’m at the age where I could have stayed in the US, but I said to myself, ‘Every kid wants to play in England and if I’m going to do it, I have to do it now’,” said Leverock, who made 41 appearances for Harrisburg, scoring four goals.

“It may not be straight away and I may have to start a bit lower, but hopefully I can have a rapid rise.

“This is a second chance for me in England.

“When I was last there I’d only just started playing centre back, whereas now I have two seasons playing professionally under my belt.

“I look at Nahki Wells, Reggie Lambe and Rai Simons and see no reason why I can’t reach that level as well.”