Bermuda?s trip to Aruba in the Caribbean Cup has been cancelled ? buying the Bermuda Football Association more time to appoint a new manager.

The national side were due to head down to the Caribbean island later this month for the first round of the competition ? the first foray on to the international scene since being knocked out of the World Cup by El Salvador.

But Aruba have withdrawn from the competition, handing Bermuda a place in the four-team group stage in the Cayman in October or November.

The cancelled games means the BFA, who have yet to announce the fate of Kenny Thompson whose contract expired when the 2006 World Cup campaign ended, have more time to appoint a successor.

Thompson, who remains in charge of the youth program, may continue in the role although it is understood the BFA have undertaken interviews with possible local-based successors.

A decision is set to be made in the next two weeks.

If Bermuda can get through the group stages against Cayman, St. Vincent and British Virgin Islands, they would then play a semi-final home and away tie in January, followed by another two-leg knockout game in February and then a four-team group final in Babardos in April.