INDOOR professional footballer John Barry Nusum may be the answer to Bermuda's trouble spot in the heart of the defence.

However, while that option won't be explored during the next two friendly matches with Puerto Rico at the National Sports Centre next week as Nusum is nursing an injury and is ruled out, national coach Keith Tucker admitted this week Nusum could fill that role in next month's World Cup qualifier against Cayman Islands.

Tucker makes no secret of his preference for a six-foot, old-fashioned central defender and the son of former PHC centreback Johnny Nusum fits the bill. Crucially, the Philadelphia Kixx striker started out in central defence for Wolves more than a decade ago.

"The (school) All-Star game about 10 years ago was the first time I saw him and he played an outstanding game in defence," said Tucker, the Howard University coach who was back on the island that night scouting new talent.

"If he is open to the idea, hopefully he is the type of player who will do whatever it takes to win," said Tucker.

The new Bermuda coach will have Omar Shakir available after injury and he is likely to be used in the heart of the defence for the Puerto Rico matches next Wednesday and Friday.

"After these games we will have to come to conclusions and figure out what is best for the team," said the coach who is pleased with the progress the team is making in his short time in charge.

"Definitely as a team they showed great stuff in the last two games. But the ball chipped in to the back of the defence or high up to the striker is where I am a little worried. Darius Cox and Kevin Richards did a good job (in the last game) but we need a six-two, six-three guy at the back "

Tucker is satisfied with the talent within the squad and pleased also with the way the players have rallied around him after a slow initial response to training. The net has been cast wide in the hopes of getting the best players into the national programme.

"We put out a whole lot of names to make sure we didn't miss anybody," Tucker revealed. "We included everybody from the past national team and Under-23s. The (starting) 11 is coming close but I would still like to see some depth in positions."

Tucker was able to call on college students against St. Kitts and Nevis last month as he picked up his first win as national coach, but won't interrupt their studies for the two friendlies next week, though one of them, striker Keishon Bean, may be here for the match. Experienced midfielders Ralph Bean and Keith Jennings of North Village could soon rejoin the team.

The team is well served in the goalkeeping department with Jason Williams, Timmy Figureido and Nigel Burgess in contention for the number one jersey. Further competition will soon come from St. George's goalkeeper Freddy Hall who has just returned to school abroad but is very much in the coach's plans for the immediate future.

"I want camaraderie but a battle for positions, too," said Tucker.

Up front Tucker will give another chance to striker Aljame Zuill who is eager to carry on after his hat-trick in the 4-2 win over St. Kitts in the second match.

"It will be hard to drop him after three goals," the coach concedes. "Stephen Astwood is behind him and the thing that got me excited was Lashon Dill and Damon Ming and how they played together."

Tucker will also be able to call on the scoring experience of former England pro Shaun Goater who has agreed to come out to help coach the strikers.

Earlier this week there was a turnout of 22 players for training with five out with injuries. Prior to that, on a rainy night, some 17 players showed up to train.

"They are getting used to me," said the coach.

Growing up in Bermuda at a time when football was flourishing, Tucker wasn't sure what to expect when he took on the national coach's job after about 30 years living in the United States. But he says things aren't all doom and gloom and is encouraged by what he sees and the direction things are moving.

"Great, I run to training sessions," he says of his enthusiasm for the job.

"Everything I heard about Bermuda soccer was very negative and it is not that way. I haven't seen a fight on the field since I've been here. We've just got to understand that everything is not perfect. Life has changed in Bermuda and the older players don't stay in the game long enough to pass on their knowledge to the other players."

Tucker, who is also coaching a group of Under fives at Somerset, thinks things are now looking up with the launching of the Hogges and David Bascome's ISL last summer and with people like Kenny Thompson, Dennis Brown and Neil Paynter doing positive things at their clubs. Former players up and down the country are coming out to assist their clubs' youth programmes.

"The BFA has done a great job of turning things around," said the head coach who is assisted by Jack Castle and Shaun Smith. "The youth programmes are fantastic and the future looks good, especially with the money coming in. I'm excited about the programme from top to bottom."

League football for the Premier Division will resume this weekend after the Christmas break. It is a nervous time for national coaches ¿ league fixtures just ahead of international matches ¿ with injuries always possible. But the coach puts a positive spin on that eventuality.

"I look at it as an opportunity to look at somebody else," he stated. "Guys are training hard enough to deserve a chance."

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Sunday's schedule

Premier Division: Ireland Rangers v Devonshire Cougars (Malabar Field); Boulevard v Somerset (BAA Field); PHC v Dandy Town (Southampton Oval); North Village v Dev.Colts (Bernard Park).

First Division: BAA v Paget (BAA Field); X-Roads v Prospect (Garrison Field); Ham. Parish v Somerset Eagles (St. David's); St. George's v Wolves (Wellington Oval); St. David's v Social Club (St. David's 3.00).

Women's Division: St. George's Lady Colts v Dandy Stars (Wellington Oval); Prospect v PHC (Police Field).

Under 18: Boulevard v PHC (S.Bay); Dandy Town v North Village (St. John's); Southampton Rangers v Som. Eagles (S.Oval).