Bermuda?s World Cup preparations have moved up a gear with confirmation yesterday that the national squad will head to Central America next week to play three matches in the space of five days.

And included in the travelling squad will be retired English professional Kyle Lightbourne who only made himself available for selection last week.

Lightbourne, who left Macclesfield at the end of last season following spells at Scarborough, Stoke, Walsall and Coventry City, arrives back on the Island this weekend and will be in the party that flies to Panama on Monday morning.

Bermuda will play Panama, currently ranked 127th in the world ? 32 places above Bermuda ? next Wednesday.

The squad then travel onto Nicaragua for matches on Friday, April 30 and Sunday, May 2.

Three weeks ago Bermuda defeated the Nicaraguans 3-0 and 2-1 at the National Sports Centre.

However, Shaun Goater, who netted twice in the first match, isn?t available for the upcoming trip, nor US-based professional Kevin Richards who still has school commitments.

But most of the home-based players who appeared in the matches against Nicaragua are expected to be in coach Kenny Thompson?s plans for next week.

Former national coach Mark Trott will make the trip as head of delegation as will Bermuda Football Association general secretary David Sabir, who will later meet up with BFA president Larry Mussenden for the CONCACAF Conference in Grenada on May 1 and 2.

Next week?s games are seen as a continuation of Thompson?s build-up to the crucial two-leg second round World Cup qualifier against El Salvador on June 13 (in San Salvador) and June 20 (in Bermuda).

And Panama, in particular, should offer the coach some insight as to how his squad are shaping up.

Nicaragua, also, could prove to be a much tougher proposition on home turf as they are expected to introduce a number of new players during next week?s two matches.

Sabir revealed yesterday that while the games against Panama and Nicaragua have been confirmed, the BFA narrowly missed out on a further two warm-up matches against Honduras and Guatemala.

Both of those countries had plans to play against other international opposition fall through, and offered instead to host Bermuda.

However, with travel plans already finalised the BFA were unable to amend their schedule.

?It?s a pity,? said Sabir yesterday, ?but the offers came just a little too late.?

?However, it?s still possible we could play more matches against Central American teams before the El Salvador games. At least that?s what we?re working towards.?

Sabir said he hoped to have discussions with potential opponents when he meets with delegates at the CONCACAF Conference.