West Ham United assistant manager Frank Lampard has expressed his shock at the axeing of his former team-mate Clyde Best as Bermuda's technical director of coaching.

But he added that the Hammers were unlikely to withdraw their invitation to the national team to play a match at their Upton Park stadium and to use the club's training facilities next April -- depending on the result of talks with Best.

Meanwhile Best, who made his name as a player with West Ham, said the proposed trip to the English Premier League club may be brought forward, so it happens before Bermuda's first World Cup qualifying tie against the British Virgin Islands in March.

Best will no longer be in charge in April, as a result of the controversial decision to terminate his contract when it expires in March.

And the technical director is still awaiting the go-ahead for the tour from the BFA's Finance Committee.

Contacted at home by The Royal Gazette yesterday, Lamapard was taken by surprise by the news that Best is to lose his job.

"I knew nothing about this and I am very surprised,'' said Lampard. "This is a great shame.

"You've caught me on the hop a bit and until I know exactly what is happening it's difficult for me to say any more.'' As far as Lamapard was concerned, the invitation to Bermuda would remain open -- but he hinted that consultation with Best would be needed before a decision could be finalised.

"I think we would still want to invite Bermuda over here and from Clyde's point of view, I don't think he would want to stop it.

"But I will be speaking to Clyde on the phone in the next three or four days to find out what's happening.'' Best said yesterday that if funding was forthcoming for the tour, he felt it would be more valuable for the squad to go before the start of the World Cup campaign -- possibly as early as next month.

"If we could get something organised for February, it would be ideal,'' said Best.

"I would rather get it (funding) sorted out at this end first though, before I talk to West Ham again. I'm sure t hey'll have no problem with us changing dates. With them, they'd fit us in whenever we could make it.'' Caught on the hop: Hammers assistant manager Frank Lampard, who hopes Bermuda will still be able to play in London later on in the year.