It?s official! Reading striker Shaun Goater is set to put on a Bermuda jersey for the first time in four years.

The English professional is due to arrive home tomorrow night and will begin training with the senior national squad the next day as they prepare to take on Nicaragua at the National Sports Centre next Wednesday.

However, the Reading striker won?t be available for the second game against the Nicaraguans on Friday.

Goater, who has 12 goals to his credit this season, is in Reading?s starting line-up for today?s clash against Coventry City.

It is hoped next week?s friendlies will be the first of several for the national team ahead of June?s World Cup second round qualifying match against El Salvador.

Goater last suited up for Bermuda during the 2000 World Cup qualifying campaign against British Virgin Islands.

?I?m delighted because it will be a great experience playing with a lot of the youngsters and to be among the challenge which is up and coming,? said Goater, speaking from the UK.

?The main thing is that we go out there and play as a strong unit and try to move forward with the positive results we achieved in the last game. The boys are on pretty good form and we need to take that confidence into this game because every game you win boosts more confidence.?

The Reading striker will depart the Island next Thursday to be back in England in time for next Saturday?s crucial clash against West Ham.

It?s hoped Goater?s experience will help elevate the Island?s national team to the next level as they brace themselves for what promises to be a tough home-and-away tie against El Salvador.

?I think I will bring a bit of experience and knowledge to the team and it is important for us to remain calm and try to be composed throughout the game (next Wednesday) and not get too upset whether the game is going good for us or not so good. We have to maintain our calmness and composure and adhere to the game plan,? said Goater.

The former Manchester City star reckons he can make the necessary adjustments and gel with a group of players, many of whom he has never met, let alone played with.

?Football is funny and sometimes you need a bit of luck. You can have the best of players and still not gel together and sometimes you can put certain players together and it just comes off,? he added. ?I think my old style of playing football in Bermuda will come back just by being around the lads ? as long as they are not expecting me to try and run across three or four players because that certainly is not my game.

?I hope I don?t surprise them with my game being so simple. My game is very simple and that?s how I create space and allow myself to get opportunities.?

National coach Kenny Thompson said he was elated to have his former Bermuda team-mate rejoin the fold.

?What Shaun has achieved as a professional speaks for itself. Shaun will definitely be an asset to the national team, keeping in mind we are rebuilding the programme with a combination of some experienced campaigners and some young players,? said Thompson.

?I think Shaun will have a positive impact on all of the players and help the team to perform at a new level. And I believe Shaun will be pleased with the type of football and the overall performance level of the team and enjoy himself being a member of the team,? added the coach, refusing to divulge any possible role the striker might be asked to play.