a brief visit, following the unfortunate death of his grandmother.

The break from his English Third Division club, Walsall, will not allow him to spend Christmas in Bermuda, however, as the Bermuda international is due to return to England on Saturday.

Indeed a hectic week awaits Lightbourne and his teammates with four matches in the space of seven days and Lightbourne does not want to prolong his absence for fear of losing the spot his has earned through dogged determination and perseverence.

"I can't afford to miss any games because the competition is so high right now,'' said Lightbourne, taking in last night's Dudley Eve Trophy matches at local `home' club PHC.

"If I do that it could mean maybe four games before I could get back in. Our team captain got injured for a little while and he had to miss maybe 12 games before he could get back in, and that was only because somebody else got injured.'' Walsall are currently fourth on goal difference in the Third Division standings and this Lightbourne said has lent itself to great expectations at the club with regard to their promotion prospects.

"The game is very direct and the fans can really make you go,'' he said.

"When you have the ball they all get behind you screaming for you to play and really get you going.'' His presence drew a crowd last night, but there was no sign of the English accent...at least not yet.