National coach Clyde Best hasn't ruled out giving the captain's arm band to one of the two England-based professionals for next month's Shell Cup in the Cayman Islands.

As well as finalising the team, Best is still deciding over the important job of captain, though he admitted yesterday that both Goater and Lightbourne were in the running.

"I've got people in mind, but again we have to look at people like Shawn and Kyle, too, because they are professionals,'' said Best.

"I haven't ruled out anybody for the captaincy, but being logical these are professional players and know what it takes. I'm sure they are in with a good chance.'' As for the qualities he is looking for, Best stated: "You've got to be a leader, and there are different ways to lead.'' As well as the senior team, Best is also preparing the under-20 side for an upcoming engagement, the Caribbean Zone World Cup qualifying tournament, also in the Caymans.

He's hoping to have both squads named in the next few days, but in the meantime is anxiously awaiting confirmation of the dates for the under-20s from CONCACAF before finalising travel plans. Original plans called for the tournament to be held in mid-April.

"CONCACAF are still trying to finalise when it is going to be,'' explained Best, after putting the youngsters through another training session yesterday.

"They've had to change because something has come up, so we'll just have to work with them. Hopefully it can be worked out in the next couple of days.

"We know who our opponents will be, the Cayman Islands, and we're just waiting to see who it will be after that.'' Best is excited about the team's prospects.

"We're doing okay, we've got some great talent on this team and I look forward to them doing some decent things,'' he said.

The senior team return to competition early next month, and Best is working with those players three days a week.

"It's fantastic, we can't complain about the numbers right now,'' added the coach, who expects to have Goater, Lightbourne and David Bascome available to join the team in early May.

"We train every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and that (squad) should be finalised by this weekend. We realise a lot of our players have commitments but I'm willing to work with them and their commitments.'' Goater and Lightbourne finish their seasons in England on May 3 while Bascome's indoor team in the United States, Harrisburg Heat, are in the play-offs.

"I spoke to Kyle last week and he's willing to play and I sent a fax off to Joe (Goater's manager at Manchester City, Joe Royle) who I know personally so that will help our cause.

"We don't have to be there until the fourth so they can fly straight out and meet us there. Anytime you have a professional player you know it's going to help you out because they are probably going to be far ahead of most of the people they will play against in the tournament.

"The last time I spoke to David he said he would definitely be willing to come. If he is out of the play-offs he can come and join us.'' TIPS FROM THE TOP -- National coach Clyde Best offers members of the under-20 national squad words of advice during a training session at BAA Field yesterday. The Bermuda team will travel to Trinidad and Tobago soon for World Cup qualifying matches.