Rai Simons believes his attacking attributes can provide the perfect foil for Nahki Wells who he hopes to partner up front in Bermuda's World Cup qualifying campaign.

Simons has forged a reputation as the “bright young thing” of Bermuda football after impressing for Ilkeston's first team in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier Division — the seventh tier of the English game — this season.

Once touted by Kyle Lightbourne, the former Stoke City striker, as the most talented Bermudian teenager he had seen, Simons has earned rave reviews for Ilkeston, with the Derbyshire Evening Telegraph describing his performance against Rushall Olympic last month as “irrepressible”.

The 19-year-old is now hungry for his first taste of World Cup action and is confident that his style of play would perfectly complement Bermuda's star turn Wells, who likes to “play off the shoulder” of the last defender, whereas Simons prefers to drop deep.

“I always enjoy playing for my country and it's great to be back home playing in front of family and friends,” Simons, who made his international debut at the NatWest Island Games in 2013, said.

“I would hope that me and Nahki could be a good partnership, I'm looking forward to the prospect of playing alongside him.

“I usually tend to drop off and get the ball to feet and play. I like to pull the strings and just like to be on the ball as much as I can.”

Simons is among a cluster of overseas-based players, including Huddersfield Town striker Wells, who the Bermuda Football Association are planning to bring back for the first-round qualifiers against Bahamas next month.

Bermuda meet Bahamas in Nassau on Wednesday, March 25, before returning to the Island for the second leg at the National Sports Centre on Sunday, March 29.

They would meet Guatemala in June if they defeat Bahamas, and then possibly Canada in the third round of the qualifiers.

A former West Ham United trialist, Simons believes it is imperative that Bermuda make the most of the experience their top players have gained from overseas.

Among those named in coach Andrew Bascome's provisional squad are Reggie Lambe, of Mansfield Town, Stoke City goalkeeper Dale Eve and Jonté Smith of Kemi Kings in Finland.

“It's probably a good thing to have a lot of players who are playing overseas, whether that's in the UK or playing at the college level in the United States,” Simons, whose Ilkeston contract expires at the end of the season, said.

“I think we have a good blend of players with overseas experience and local talent as well.”

Simons, who opened his Ilkeston scoring account at home to Whitby Town last month, believes he has the ability to follow in the footsteps of Che Adams and Ashley Hunter, his former team-mates who have signed for Sheffield United and Fleetwood Town respectively.

Ilkeston, who are second in the table and unbeaten in 17 matches, are looking to gain promotion to the Vanarama Conference North this season.