Richmond Kickers have been hit with a visa crisis preventing a raft of key players from travelling to Bermuda with head coach Leigh Cowlishaw admitting: "Hogges couldn't be playing us at a better time".

To compound Cowlishaw's concerns, Kickers are also suffering from injury woes prompting the Englishman to enter the loan market for a couple of players from MLS teams DC United and New York Red Bulls.

Cowlishaw conceded his weakened team would be more than content with a share of the spoils, but remained confident Kickers had enough ammunition in their depleted armoury to test Hogges.

"We're going to be missing about eight starters for the Hogges game because of visa issues and injuries, so they are probably playing us at a good time," he said.

"Unfortunately there isn't time to get some of our players' visas processed by the US consulate allowing them to get back into the US, so we've had to leave them behind.

"But we will be bringing a few MLS guys who we've taken on loan so we will still have a good team. My concern is whether we will be able to gel together in time."

Hogges are yet to pick up a point against USL-D2 powerhouse Kickers who blitzed their way to a 7-1 victory over Kyle Lightbourne's side in their last visit to Bermuda.

The embarrassing defeat prompted a furious Lightbourne to accuse his under-performing players of letting him down and question their commitment, desire and pride.

However, Cowlishaw is sure his team will be facing a far different Hogges this time around.

"The 7-1 victory was a very strange game as I remember," Cowlishaw said. "The Hogges started brightly but then we scored a hatful (of goals) in about five or six minutes and that pretty much killed them off.

"But that defeat would have been a learning curve for them and I gather they played well against Harrisburg City Islanders. Everyone knows Hogges have the athleticism and the talent and they're going to get better and better. To be honest we will be happy with a point from this one."

Kickers tackle Bermuda Under-23s at BFA Field on Sunday evening and Cowlishaw believes playing back-to-back matches will be beneficial for his team.

"I think it's a really positive relationship between the USL teams and Bermuda. It's good for us because all of my squad will see match action and it's good for the development of Bermuda Under-23s."