If there's one player anxious to rise to the challenge when it comes to international duty, then it's Shannon Burgess.

The 32-year-old former national team skipper was recently recalled to the national squad and could very well play an integral role in coach Kenny Thompson's World Cup plans.

The Devonshire Colts veteran captained Bermuda during the 2000 World Cup qualifying campaign under then coach Robert Calderon, and has long been regarded as one of the Island's premier central defenders.

Burgess watched from the sidelines over the Christmas holiday as the local boys suffered two defeats against the visiting Barbados national team.

But having now fully recovered from a knee injury, the Colts die-hard is readying himself for the Island's upcoming Cup commitment.

"At this point in my career, I consider my involvement in the national programme a primary and personal objective," explained Burgess.

"Personally, I have to do the things that are required to take myself to the next level. Just being involved in a national team set-up, you always have to be at the top of your game. You're playing and training with some of the better players in the country and so there's no room for complacency because spots aren't guaranteed."

Burgess, with one World Cup campaign already under his belt, is fully aware of what it takes to compete on the bigger stage.

"I think the most exhilarating part about being involved in international competition is the challenge of having to conquer the unknown, coming up against a team that you know little about. Match day of an international game is a feeling that can't be matched, knowing that you are representing your country," he added.

Burgess and his team-mates will again cherish that experience when Bermuda take on Trinidad & Tobago early next month (February 10 & 12) at the National Sports Centre.

The player says he's overly "motivated", primarily after watching his fellow countrymen suffer an embarrassing 4-0 loss to Barbados on New Year's Day.

"It was disappointing. To see a national team not play as well as they can in the international arena. But from a personal aspect it gave me extra motivation to really get myself to a point where not only am I in the team, but also able to compete on the international stage," he said.

"I've spoken with the coach (in the past) and communicated to him that I feel I am physically ready to play in the national team and at the end of the day it is his decision. But I need to prove that I am ready to be on the pitch, which I feel I am."

Burgess said he had no qualms over losing the national team captaincy to Dwayne (Streaker) Adams, prior to the Bajan tour of the Island.

"I guess the coach really had a decision to make. I wasn't involved with the programme when they (Bermuda Football Association) began preparations for this campaign (World Cup). So I guess he (Kenny Thompson) was forced to choose a captain from the group of players he had," he said.

"But I am involved with the team now and whether or not I'm the captain of the team isn't going to prevent me from taking a leadership role on the field and being vocal. I may have to curtail it a bit as not to step on anyone's toes, but I think all of the experienced players have a duty to show some sort of leadership on the field."