The of Caribbean football are back!

President of local promoters Setplay, Anthony Raynor, confirmed yesterday that the Jamaican Under-23 national team would arrive in Bermuda next month to play two matches against US Major League Soccer (MLS) side New England Revolution on February 25 and Kyle Lightbourne?s senior national squad on February 28 at the National Sports Centre (NSC).

Jamaica?s Under-23 team last toured Bermuda in December, 2002, when they defeated North Village 2-1, drew 3-3 against Devonshire Colts and were then beaten 2-1 by a Meshach Wade?led Bermuda Select on the carpet in a match honouring late Bermuda Football Association administrator Dudley Eve.

The Revs, who are due to arrive in Bermuda on February 13, take on Bermuda?s national squad in a friendly at the NSC on February 18 as preparation for their CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-final first leg match against Costa Rica?s LD Alauelense four days later at the same venue.

?Jamaica will be competing in the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games this year so this will provide them with a good opportunity to kick off their campaign,? said Raynor.

?They seemed to appreciate our offer and we are happy that they could accommodate us. The Bermuda public will certainly appreciate them coming here and we look forward to seeing some competitive football.?

Although the exact date of the Jamaicans? arrival has yet to be confirmed, squad will contain several senior internationals.

?Five of them actually play for their senior team which should make them a stronger side,? Raynor added.

Bermuda national coach Lighbourne, meanwhile, has already submitted a squad of 30 players to the BFA?s technical committee and reminded his charges that training will resume next Tuesday.

The former Coventry City striker is due to hold a team meeting prior to Tuesday?s practice session at BAA Field.

?We?re looking forward to playing again. This year will be a busy year for the BFA as far as competitive games are concerned with tournaments coming up,? said Lightbourne.

?We have a few weeks to prepare ourselves and so I?m looking to train up to three nights per week.

?I imagine Jamaica will arrive here with maybe one or two senior players in their team and so this will provide a good test for our senior national team.

?This give us a good gauge to see exactly where we are at the moment playing against a country that has already been to the World Cup.?

Due to limited funds, hopes of flying in overseas professionals Damon Ming, John (Barry) Nusum, Shaun Goater and David Bascome appear slim.

But Lightbourne added: ?We have been discussing the matter and hopefully we can at least bring in one or two of our overseas players.?

Last February saw Setplay organisers Raynor and former West Ham striker Clyde Best bring in Brazilian side Santos and the Revs.

BFA general secretary David Sabir said yesterday: ?Once again the BFA is delighted to be in support of the incoming tour that comprises of New England Revolution, Jamaica?s Under-23 national team and the team (Alajuelense) from Costa Rica.

?Obviously Setplay are continuing upon their mission to bring international football to Bermuda and the BFA see this as a good thing.?

In domestic football, the season continues to heat up this weekend with Premier Division leaders Somerset Trojans and defending champions Devonshire Cougars having already met last night at the Den (see report above).

Tonight sees second-placed North Village take on sixth-placed Boulevard at BAA Field.

Devonshire Colts host PHC Zebras at Police Field and Dandy Town welcome bottom dwellers Ireland Rangers to the Barn tomorrow.

In First Division action, league leaders St.David?s should overpower hapless Somerset Eagles at White Hill Field while second-placed Paget find themselves facing a tricky fixture against unpredictable Prospect United at White Hill Field.

Elsewhere, X Roads host rejuvenated Wolves at Garrison Field, Social Club take on fellow strugglers Hamilton Parish at Bernard Park and unpredictable Southampton Rangers host promotion hopefuls St.George?s at Southampton Oval.