National coach Kenny Thompson expects to get a clearer assessment tonight of how Bermuda?s footballers are progressing in their World Cup campaign.

He said the first of two international friendlies against Nicaragua at the National Sports Centre should help the Island?s preparation for what is anticipated will be a testing, second-round World Cup qualifier against El Salvador in June.

This follows Bermuda?s 20-0 demolition on aggregate of soccer saplings Montserrat in the first round; an encounter Thompson modestly acknowledged made it ?very difficult to determine our weaknesses?.

?These matches against Nicaragua are very important as they give us an insight into exactly where we are,? he noted, speaking at a practice session at the NSC yesterday.

?We expect a very tough opponent so we can make an accurate analysis on where we now stand.?

Though encouraged by performances so far and optimistic his team is on the right track, Thompson is eager to observe the Nicaraguans? style of play. Given their proximity to El Salvador in Central America, he predicts some similarities which could be useful to the Bermudians.

Naturally his experimentation with various players will continue but once again he will remain mindful of trying to be victorious.

?It?s important that we take the match very seriously in trying to get a good result but we must have the flexibility to try out some things tactically and give some players the opportunity to show what they can do,? he said.

?There?s a degree of comfort knowing the result wouldn?t be the be all and end all. The primary result we?re looking towards is (against) El Salvador and this is part of the building blocks.

?We have a bit of stability in terms of the players in their positions. It?s also important that we develop a squad that?s deep enough that it can withstand players being unavailable for various reasons because, as we go along, there may be injuries and suspensions.

?The important thing is that we have enough players of a high enough quality who can step in on short notice and do a good job. So these two matches will give me the opportunity to try as many players as possible.?

There are a handful of changes to the Bermudian squad from the one which travelled to Montserrat with Kentoine Jennings, Jamaul Boyles and Logan Alexander all overseas at present.

Veterans Meshach Wade and Dwayne Adams ? both fresh from celebrating Southampton Rangers upset victory over Dandy Town on Sunday ? are back in the line-up after missing the trip to the volcanic Caribbean island. Goalkeeper Zane Hendrickson has also been summoned ?so he can get an idea of what we?re doing? as has another, Freddie Hall, nephew of current keeper Troy.

?He (Hall) is not an official member of the national team but he has been part of the previous Under-17 team. He is currently abroad in school but is home for the holidays and I have invited him to training to get some experience at senior level,? explained the coach.

Thompson is also hoping to have talented striker John Barry Nusum in the mix for the second match on Friday but that?s still uncertain given the player?s recent signing with Canadian pro team Toronto Lynx.

Stanton Lewis, who missed the return leg of the Montserrat tie because of Regiment duty, made a brief appearance at the ground and spoke with Thompson yesterday. The latter did not participate in training and will not take the field tonight but may be in reckoning for Friday.

Surveying his squad as they went through warm-up exercises, Thompson expressed satisfaction with their overall progress but singled out Damon Ming, Clevon Hill and Ottis Steede.

Ming, he noted, has ?improved tremendously? while Hill is ?finding his way? and Steede is becoming a seasoned campaigner at international level.

?I could go on and name every player because I have seen improvements in everyone and the overall attitude and commitment to the national team ? to learning something new with every training session ? have been tremendous,? he said.

?Now, we?re looking for further improvements against Nicaragua.?

As for the inclusion of top pro and Reading striker Shaun Goater, his former Bermuda team-mate could not be more pleased.

?I think his presence will have a positive impact on the young players; not just on the field but because we are staying together in a hotel for the next few days. They will get to know him off the field as well and that?s important,? noted Thompson, speaking highly of how Goater has matured.

?I?m sure he will look to guide the young ones a bit ...to help them with the experience he has had internationally. It?s good for the national team to have him.?