Trialist Tyrell Burgess has decided to return home to seek full-time employment after missing out on a contract at League Two team Barnet, writes Stephen Wright

Burgess, 24, spent a few weeks training at The Bees and played 45 minutes in a pre-season friendly against non-league Wingate and Finchley, but did not do enough to convince manager Mark Stimson to sign him.

The Bermuda Hogges winger also featured in a handful of friendly games for English Conference side Gateshead and grabbed the winner in their 2-1 win at Harrogate United last month.

He was recommended to both clubs by Hogges co-owner Paul Scope who said there would have been other teams willing to take a look at Burgess had he chosen to remain in the UK for longer.

"Tyrell's made a great effort at going pro and he should be commended for that," said Scope. "He managed to go a lot further than most Bermudians and he had a little bit of success at Vancouver Whitecaps.

"Barnet had a good look at him as I've got an old friend there, Paul Fairclough, who I used to play alongside at St Albans.

"And (Tyrell) was a bit unlucky at Gateshead. They're going full-time (professional) for the first time in their history and I think they already had much of their squad selected.

"If he had stayed in England there would have been other teams who would have been willing to take a look at him."

Scope said er Stimson had been impressed with Burgess' attitude and athleticism but believed he needed to improve his first touch.

The Hogges co-owner, however, is confident North Village coach Shaun Goater will be able to iron out any deficiencies in Burgess' game over the course of the coming domestic season.

"Mark Stimson said Tyrell was athletic, moved well but needed to work on his first touch as well as influencing the game around him," Scope said.

"Tyrell's a terrific lad, maybe too nice at times. In English football they're looking for someone who can take the game by the scruff of its neck a bit more."

Scope said Hogges keeper Freddy Hall would also be looking to stay sharp for when he returns to League One outfit Plymouth with the view to signing a permanent deal.

"If he stays sharp and goes back in December he has a great opportunity," said Scope.

"They've brought in a keeper from Spurs (David Button) and if he does well I'm sure he'll want to go back to Spurs.

"Plymouth's other keeper (Romain Larrieu) is 34 and who knows, he may not want to challenge for the number one spot and could be looking for something else in the future.

"In any event, if Freddy can go there in December as their number three, by the end of the season he could be Plymouth's number two or even number one."

n Reggie Lambe played the first 54 minutes in Ipswich Town's 3-2 win at Exeter City in the League Cup last night.