Bermuda Hogges midfielder Domico Coddington re-injured his right foot in training this week and has been ruled out of his team’s June 6 home clash with Charlotte Eagles at the National Sports Centre, and possibly for much longer.

According to team officials, Coddington — who celebrates his 23rd birthday during Bermuda Day celebrations next Thursday — injured the same foot that kept him sidelined for all but one match in the second-half of the domestic season, and could now be facing another lengthy lay-off.

“It’s a setback and the downside is that it looks as though he’s going to be out for a considerable amount of time. And this is not good because we had big plans for the player we know Domico can be,” Hogges boss Shaun Goater stated yesterday.

Coddington fractured his right foot representing Devonshire Cougars against Boulevard at the Den last January and only recently returned to playing competitively with the Hogges.

He had trials last year with USL Division One club Atlanta Silverbacks and in 2005 also had trials with Italian Serie C side AS Acireale.

Coddington has also played professionally in the Canadian Pro League with eastern conference sides Durham Storm and Oakville Blue Devils, and in 2005 walked away with the Bermuda Football Association (BFA) Young Player of the Year and MVP Awards after helping Cougars land a maiden league championship.

“It’s really disappointing because he’s probably one of our top players expected to move away from the Hogges at some point and go onto bigger things. But hopefully he is able to recover before the end of the season,” Goater added.

On a more positive note, the Hogges look set to be reunited with team captain Kwame Steede who has yet to make an appearance for the semi-pro outfit.

Steede is said to have nearly fully recovered from knee surgery and is expected to debut for the Hogges sometime in the near future, said Goater.

“We are definitely looking to have Kwame begin training with us regularly - then we will be able to really assess his fitness,” added the former Manchester City star.

In the absence of Coddington, Steede virtually carried Cougars’ league title hopes on his shoulders - bravely battling on despite a bothersome knee injury that required surgery at the end of the season.

The Hogges and Cougars captain — who joined Coddington last year for trials with the Silverbacks — will be keen to get back in the thick of the action. But that, Goater stressed, would depend on the player himself.

“That is a decision for him to know and take onboard. But we hope that that he will,” said Goater.

Earlier this week Hogges pair Dennis Zuill and Lloyd Holder were honoured by being named on the USL’s Second Division Team of the Week.

Defender Zuill received high marks for his outstanding performance during the Hogges’ recent 1-1 draw with Cincinnati Kings — despite being shown the yellow card — while Holder was recognised for his well-taken goal that earned his team their first USL point.

Holder’s second-half strike was the Hogges’ first goal after twice being shut out by the visiting Harrisburg City Islanders at the NSC.

“I think this is tremendous and I have already congratulated both players. It just goes to show that we are being recognised — and that’s good,” said Goater, also delighted to have secured Malabar Field as the Hogges’ training base over the summer months.