Bermuda skipper Clay Smith could find himself assuming the role of team manager for the national cricket squad on a temporary basis.

Smith, recovering from knee surgery, is among a short list of potential candidates to take the place of El James who will not accompany the national team on their tour of Trinidad this month or to the UK next month.

James, appointed to the post in February, 2005, has stepped back from his managerial duties to tend to personal matters.

?We haven?t formalised anything yet at this stage, but someone like Clay may have to step up although we haven?t spoken with him as yet. But at the moment he is an option we are presently looking at,? confirmed Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) president Reggie Pearman yesterday.

Smith was highly recommended for the temporary post by James.

Pearman, meanwhile, put to rest rumours claiming James had fallen out of favour with national team members and, as such, been asked to resign.

?He (James) came to me personally and I called a meeting with my executives with him on Saturday,? Pearman said. ?His personal business at the moment has become a bit of a strain, and that?s basically what he told us.?

The national cricket squad depart for Trinidad tomorrow where they play Canada and Zimbabwe in official one-day internationals.

James was regarded as an ideal candidate for the post because of his no-nonsense, tough disciplinary approach, Pearman explained.

?El is a former school teacher and so naturally he is disciplinarian,? he added. ?Not everybody is going to agree with him . . . but he is the Board?s choice and is just on a leave.?