Confusion surrounds Jason Smith's Island Soccer League (ISL) future after the goalkeeper was controversially removed from the Union's protected list and selected as Arsenal's first pick in the Superdraft.

The Southampton Rangers shot-stopper is now reluctant to play for Arsenal and wants to rejoin Union who he helped reach the ISL final last season.

It's understood Smith was taken off the protected-list when it was rumoured he was training with Bermuda Hogges whose players are excluded from playing in the ISL.

Yet Smith maintains he didn't train with Bermuda Hogges and therefore should have remained as a protected player for Union, who face Kings in tomorrow's opening match of the ISL season at the National Sports Centre.

"I was informed that Karl Roberts (ISL operations manager) had a list of players who had been training with Hogges who came off the protected list," said Smith.

"But I haven't been training with the Hogges, so that's when I was thrown back into the (Superdraft) hat.

"I spoke with Karl who acknowledged the mistake.

"My whole thing is that I don't want to play with Arsenal.

"I have a team that I was protected by and that's my feeling.

"No disrespect to Arsenal or any other team, this is just my stance.

"On top of this, I was the first pick in the draft so the whole thing has been blown out of proportion."

Smith has not completely ruled out suiting up for Mark Jennings' Arsenal or even helping Union from the sidelines as their coach Stan Lewis has family commitments.

"Some Union players are saying they won't play unless they get me back," Smith said.

"Others are saying I want to play for Arsenal because I want to play with Travis Wilkinson, but we play together at Rangers so what substance does that hold.

"I haven't' made up my mind yet, so we will see how this plays out.

"Stan Lewis can't really be there too much this season so I may help them out."