Injured Bermuda captain Clay Smith is still awaiting the all-clear from his insurance company before flying out to Colorado for surgery on his troublesome left knee.

Speaking to yesterday, Smith said he should be on his way in the ?next two or three weeks? once it is officially confirmed that the cost of the operation will be covered.

He will remain in the ski resort of Vail for up to 14 days afterwards for intensive rehabilitation.

The 35-year old batsman has a minor tear to the cartilage in his left knee as well as considerable arthritis on the bone.

Despite this, Smith insisted he could be up and running again in about two or three months ? depending on how well the knee responds to rehab.

With the World Cup nearly 14 months away, however, he is determined not rush back too soon and risk greater injury.

?I obviously want to be involved in as much cricket as I can be in the run-up to the World Cup,? he said.

?But at this stage there is no point in rushing because time is on my side and I might as well make sure the knee is 100 percent before I start playing again. Right now I can walk around on it but as so often happens when you have cartilage trouble, every so often it gives way. But I know the surgeon in America will clean it all up for me and I?ll be back out playing again when the preparation starts in earnest.

?I?m obviously not happy about being on the sidelines but I?ve just got to try and stay patient and focus all my energies on getting the knee right.?

In Smith?s absence, vice-captain Janeiro Tucker ? who led the troops so ably when the skipper tore his hamstring at the ICC Trophy in Ireland last summer ? is set to fill in.

And while Smith admitted to being frustrated at not playing a full part in the entirety of the World Cup campaign, the St. David?s stalwart said he was more than confident in the abilities of his deputy and the 15-man squad picked for the upcoming Dubai tour.

?A lot has been said about how we are taking a number of young, untried players to Dubai,? said Smith, referring to the likes of the uncapped Azeem Pitcher and Jim West.

?But the core of the first-choice XI, like Leverock, Mukuddem, Minors and Tucker are all there and will help the new guys settle in to the environment. There are still places up for grabs, particularly in the opening bowling and batting positions, and it is up to these guys to hold up their hands and show that they?ve got what it takes to represent their country. I wish them well.?

Bermuda leave for the Middle East in six days? time to play five friendly matches in only nine days against the United Arab Emirates, a team they beat by 30 runs at the ICC Trophy.