Just 24 hours before Bermuda take to the field against Brazilian champions Santos, question marks hang over the heads of three players yet to pass drug tests.

After two days of compulsory drug testing, it is understood that three players have taken two tests each which have turned up invalid results, leaving the players, as yet, ineligible to play.

Although it has been confirmed no players have actually failed the mandatory tests administered by Benedict Associates, unless they receive a positive, valid result, they will be unable to represent their team in what is expected to be an entertaining afternoon of football at the National Sports Centre.

The news has put a spanner in the works of Kyle Lightbourne?s immediate preparations for the game against a young Brazilian side, leaving the coach unable to pick his team until he knows exactly which players are available.has learned that the players will have to take the tests again this morning to secure the right to represent the national team.

According to chairman of Bermuda Council for Drug Free Sport, Jon Beard: ?If a first test is invalid the athlete is required to return to take a second test.?

Although no player has been found guilty of any offence ? an invalid result is NOT the same as a guilty one ? if any of the individuals concerned were to refuse to take the final test, it is deemed as severe as failing the test, and a mandatory one -year ban from International and possibly domestic football would follow.

When contacted, BFA general secretary David Sabir refused to comment on the matter which is heavily affecting coach Kyle Lightbourne?s plans on the eve of the opening match of the three-match Santos tour, his first home game in charge.

But it is understood Lightbourne has a contingency plan in place, in case the three players are unable to complete the pre-match requirements, in which instance a squad of 18 players would still be available to him.

The drugs confusion, which has led to wild rumours flying around the Island?s footballing fraternity, has cast a shadow on the preparation for the game, which sees Shaun Goater return to national duty.

Lightbourne, who was delighted by the arrival of his fellow UK pro, will also have to cope without Aljame Zuill due to a knee injury while Tokia Russell, with the flu, is ?touch and go?.

Regardless of the result of the final drug tests, Lightbourne will announce his starting XI to the players at the final training session today ahead of what should be a stiff test against an inexperienced, but talented, Santos outfit.

?It should be a good game,? said Lightbourne, who refused to comment in any way on the drugs issue.

?We don?t know a lot about these guys but we are preparing as best we can and working on our won game. The last training session will just be some set play stuff and some matchplay situations.

?I am happy with the squad I have and I look forward to us putting on a good show for what should be a substantial crowd tomorrow.?

The national side played a practice game earlier this week against the Select XI who take on Santos on Thursday and Lightbourne is happy that, a few individual mistakes aside, he learned what he wanted from the match.

Lightbourne, who has been in charge for three games since taking over from Kenny Thompson, will oversee his first game on home soil tomorrow and admits to being nervous, as he always is.

?I always get nervy before games and I did as a player,? added the coach.

?It is a good nervy, I am nervous about doing the best that I can. It is different when you are a coach because once they cross those white lines then it is up to the players and out of your hands.

?But I have every faith that the players are going to do their jobs.?

Meanwhile, the touring Santos arrived in Bermuda late yesterday afternoon and are scheduled to appear at a coaching clinic today at the NSC before undergoing a late afternoon practice session.

Santos are then scheduled to take on Premier Division champions Dandy Town and Select XI next Tuesday and Thursday night at Somerset Cricket Club.