Major League Soccer star Khano Smith could be included in Bermuda's line-up for at least one of Bermuda's two international friendly matches against Caribbean Football Union rivals Barbados to be played at the National Sports Centre on June 6 and 9.

With Smith's New England Revolution set to play Dallas at home June 6, the Bermudian pro said it is "highly doubtful" he will take any part in the Island's opening clash with the 'Bajan Pride'. The former Dandy Town striker, however, is optimistic he will be given the green light by Rev's boss Steve Nicol to suit up for his country in their second match inside three days against the visitors at the NSC.

"I don't want to miss any of the matches to be quite honest, but I highly doubt that I will be available to play in the first match against Barbados," Smith said. "I definitely want to play and I'm confident they (Revs) will let me go for the second match.

"Barbados should provide excellent preparation for upcoming matches (World Cup) against Trinidad and Tobago and I really think we can be competitive against them."

Smith's presence in the Bermuda line-up would certainly bolster the Island's chances of success against Barbados, something assistant national coach Kenny Thompson acknowledged during a Bermuda Football Association (BFA) press conference yesterday announcing the dates for next month's two international friendlies.

"I think it will be important to have Khano available for at least one of these matches," said Thompson, who believes the upcoming home series against Barbados will be of tremendous benefit to the Island's 2010 World Cup qualifying bid. "It's very important because if you look at Barbados they have a lot of similarities to Trindad and to me Barbados are one of the stronger countries (in the region) and a difficult opponent to play against.

"They will certainly be motivated because they ¿ and no disrespect to Trinidad ¿ have an even tougher match than we do against the US national team. They will be very motivated to reach as high a level as possible in preparation for the matches against the US. And so these are important matches for us because such an opponent will put us in good stead in preparation for Trinidad."

Earlier this week Barbados coach Eyre Sealy warned that his team won't be taking their hosts lightly when they touch down in Bermuda next month. Yet rather than be drawn into a war of words with his Bajan counterpart Thompson has chosen instead to focus primarily on his commodity who he has urged to aim high.

"The expectations of a football player should be to win matches and play well and as an individual player the expectation is that they perform on a high level as such that they are playing for