National team batsman Glenn Blakeney Jr has been ruled out of Bermuda's upcoming tour to the Caribbean through a lower back and shoulder injury but is expected to recover prior to crucial World Cup qualifiers in South Africa in April, Bermuda Cricket Board announced today.

The 35-year old has been experiencing spasms in his back in recent times and as a "precautionary measure" the BCB have decided best that he not travel to the Trinidad next week with his team-mates.

Blakeney joined the Board's High Performance Programme (HPP) last November and is currently among those fully contracted by local cricket's governing body.

At last November's ICC Americas Division Championships in Florida the veteran batsman aggravated the same injury just before the start of the tournament but blasted his way back into form with an unbeaten 118 against minnows Argentina.

Blakeney also toured Argentina with a developmental squad last December where he made two half -centuries to help the tourist clinch the Baimax International Cup in a best-of-five series against their hosts.

The Bailey's Bay cricketer, who is the son of Sports Minister Glenn Sr., has been placed on a specific "rehabilitation programme" and his health status is to further assessed next month.

Also left out of Bermuda's squad that leave for the Caribbean next Thursday is fast bowler Stefan Kelly through school commitments in the UK.

In the lead up to the World Cup qualifiers, Bermuda's preparations have not gone without its share of setbacks, such as the omission of batsman Oronde Bascome for breaching terms of his BCB contract and several players reprimanded for reasons ranging from skipping practise to playing football.

All-rounders OJ Pitcher and Malachi Jones have also been ruled out through school commitments, the BCB have confirmed.

"In the face of some setbacks our ongoing preparations will be taking on another phase and challenge in the Caribbean," commented national coach Gus Logie. "I have every confidence the players will equip themselves well and their performances both on and off the field will be of an acceptable level."

Bermuda squad: Irving Romaine (capt), David Hemp (vice-capt), Rodney Trott, Kyle Hodsoll, Dwayne Leverock, Janeiro Tucker, George O'Brien Jr, Tamauri Tucker, Delyone Borden, Fiqre Crockwell, Lionel Cann, Chris Douglas, Jacobi Robinson, Justin Pitcher, Kevin Hurdle, Jekon Edness (wk), Stephen Outerbridge.