Major League Soccer star Khano Smith has started the countdown to the World Cup qualifiers declaring, "I'm ready to take on the Cayman Islands", after returning to the national team set-up.

Smith, who missed Bermuda's friendly matches against St. Kitts and Nevis because of injury, met up with his team-mates in training this week as they prepare for next month's qualifying showdown.

Smith underwent only light training as he is still recovering from a hernia operation that he had last month in Germany. It is unlikely he will be fully fit in time to play a part in the two World Cup warm-up matches against Puerto Rico, scheduled for Janauary 16 and 18 at the National Sports Centre.

The leggy long-strider has finally recovered from the heartbreak of losing his second successive MLS Cup in November and has set his sights on a successful qualifying campaign under new coach Keith Tucker.

"I don't think I'll ever get over it (the MLS defeat) but I'm not thinking about it as much now and I'm getting excited about next season," said Smith, who scored against the Cayman Islands in a Digicel Cup game in 2005.

"It's always good to be back in national team environment and I've been hearing good things about the improvement of the Hogges players, and obviously we've got talented players like Tyrell Burgess and Keishen Bean who returned from college for the Christmas holidays."

"The most important thing for Bermuda is to progress as far as we can and improve on the stage we got to last time. But we've a big job on our hands and I think it's going to be tougher as we are up against stronger opponents.

"For all we know Cayman could have come across some very good players and you don't know what tricks they'll have up their sleeves. We just have to be as best prepared as we can be."

Although only 26, Smith finds himself as one of the 'elder statesmen' of Tucker's team with the most experience under his belt having played in the MLS for three seasons. He accepts some of the national team's 'new blood' will look towards him for inspiration during the qualifying campaign and thinks he will thrive off the added pressure.

"As an athlete you thrive off that type of pressure and if I didn't like pressure I wouldn't play sport," he said.

"But I wouldn't say I feel too much extra responsibility because every player on the field has responsibility. If I have to lead I will lead and I'll try to help along those players without as much experience as me."

Last season saw Smith make the transition from peripheral striker to regular starter with the Revs as an ultra-attacking left-wingback. He believes the change in position has added another dimension to his game and is fully prepared should Tucker require his extra versatility.

"I don't know what formation Keith Tucker is looking to play but obviously I can now play quite a few positions," said Smith. "I'm not fussy as long as I play. I'll play in goal if he needs me to, although I think we've already got three decent keepers!"

The former Dellwood Middle School teacher returned to the Island on Christmas Eve after receiving the treatment in Germany for a sports hernia injury and expects to make a swift recovery.

"Hopefully I will be back in action in two weeks, but I'm taking things slowly as there's no rush," said Smith. "I was playing with the injury during the last two months of the season."

Next month sees Revs' return to Bermuda on their annual pre-season training camp. It was during their 2005 trip they recruited Smith who believes his national team colleagues should view the visit as a chance to impress the Revs coaches.

"The Revs like coming here and enjoy the weather while also getting a few competitive games," he said. "Hopefully long after I've gone they'll still be coming to Bermuda and the relationship will go on through another player.

"You know it's also a chance for some of these boys, that's how it happened with me. They invited me along on their next pre-season trip and I don't see any reason why one of these boys can't get at least to that stage.

"In fact one of the players asked me earlier what the coaches look for and I said 'you just never know, but you always have to be ready'.

"I certainly never expected to make it with them, but it happened."