Dennis Brown were casualties yesterday when a 16-man squad was announced for Sunday's world Cup qualifying match against Haiti.

Bascome has not fully recovered from a back injury sustained on the astroturf of the National Professional Soccer League while Brown is still feeling worse for wear after injuring a calf in Jamaica.

"On Tuesday he was in too much pain to continue training,'' said manager Gary Darrell. "He said his back was really uncomfortable.'' Darrell will pick his starting team after tonight's work-out at the National Stadium, but yesterday he confirmed that midfielder Meshach Wade will indeed start.

Wade, who enjoyed a successful rookie season with English Fourth Division club Hereford United, has not played since mid-February after suffering a knee injury that required surgery.

But he has responded superbly and figures in manager Darrell's plans come Sunday at 4 p.m. at the National Stadium.

"He has done a lot of extra work on his own and with the team,'' said Darrell of Wade. "He looks as good as anyone else right now.'' Wade figures to be in a midfield that will include Hereford team-mate Kentoine Jennings, who will be the ballwinner, and skipper Albert Smith.

The inclusion of Somerset's Kenny Thompson will depend on whether Darrell wants to use four in the middle of the park or bank on Sammy Swan's ability to link with Kyle Lightbourne.

Lightbourne led the domestic scoring race with 33 goals for league and FA Cup champions PHC, many of which were provided by Swan.

The only point of contention in the defence is who to choose from for the left-back spot -- Albert Caisey or Voorhees Astwood.

Astwood was the surprise of the Jamaica tour with two fine performances deputising for Caisey who was forced to sit out for being sent off against Norway on February 4.

Otherwise the defence picks itself with reliable youngster Dwayne Adams in goal behind central defenders Shawn Smith and Leroy Stevens with Kevin Grant resurrecting his international career at right-back.

" Adams had two very good games and earned his spot,'' said Darrell. "He is now more prepared to make up for mistakes made in front of him. He has them `beat them now you've got to be me' attitude.'' Much of the local interest, as usual, will be centred around Shawn Goater, the scorer in the 2-1 loss to Norway.

The Rotherham United striker is enjoying a fine spell that has helped his team into a strong promotion position in the Fourth Division.

"I'm looking forward to seeing Shawn up front,'' said Darrell. "The match against Norway has obviously boosted his confidence.

"He benefitted as much as anyone because he went back to England and struck form. Now I hope he can bring his goal-scoring boots back with him.'' Darrell added: "We need to win this game and definitely not lose it.'' Considering the magnitude of this match, Bermuda are grossly under-prepared from a tactical standpoint. The BFA does not even know when the Haitians are planning to arrive.

Their squad was released yesterday, courtesy of the British Embassy in Haiti.

They plan to travel with 18 players and three officials, including coach Patrice Dumont.

Darrell said: "I don't know much about them. They should be a cross between Trinidad and Jamaica. Trinidad are a very skillful and fast side and Jamaica are fast and physical.'' The BFA announced that sales are steady and hope remains that a crowd of 4,000 will turn out at the stadium.

For those who have purchased tickets in advance there are specific conditions that need be clarified. White tickets are for the Frog Lane entrance, yellow tickets for the Parsons Road entrance and blue tickets for the Roberts Avenue entrance.

The southern gate on Frog Lane is for tickets only and the northern gate is for cash, space providing.

On Parsons Road, there will be a cash booth and a ticket booth for entrance to the field only.

All tickets have two parts. The stub is retained by the gatekeeper and the remaining portion will be collected by another BFA official outside the booth.

The officiating team comes from the United States. Raul Dominguez is the referee and the linesmen are Robert Heilmann and Joszef Michna.

"All the players want the crowd to be behind them for 90 minutes,'' said Coaching Committee chariamn Mark Trott. "It is one of the things that will keep them playing attractive soccer.

"I would also like to thank the club affiliates, the Bank of Bermuda, and the public.'' World Cup squads: Bermuda: Dwayne Adams, Carlyle Crockwell, Kevin Grant, Leroy Stevens, Shawn Smith, Albert Caisey, Voorhees Astwood, Kentoine Jennings, Albert Smith, Elliott Jennings, Kenny Thompson, Kyle Lightbourne, Shawn Goater, Sammy Swan, Rodney Bascome, Meshach Wade. Stand-bys Neil robinson, Philip Clarke.

Haiti: Jacob Bordenave, Luther Boulin, Isaac Chauvet, Robert Denis, Georges Fils Dieujuste, Jean Jimmy Dutreuil, Saul Fabien, Luckner Jean-Baptiste, Frantz Laguerre, Garry Louis, Harry Louis, Jean-Marie Louis, Love Lesly Joseph MacKenzie, Carlo Marcelin, Nocolas Smith, Rosemond Pierre, Chrismonor Telusma, Stanley Patrick Tardieu.

CHOICES -- Gary Darrell.