James Stout's rapid rise up Bermuda's squash ladder could land the talented teenager a spot at the Commonwealth Games.

Squash chiefs had originally planned to submit just two names for consideration for the event in Manchester in July.

But so impressed have they been with 17-year-old Stout's development that they are seeking to include his name along with those of Nick Kyme and Tommy Sherratt.

In an ideal world, director of squash Ross Triffitt would like all three players to represent their country, but he is under some pressure to submit just two names.

With that in mind, Stout will take part in a special one-off challenge match tomorrow against Sherratt, with the loser possibly being forced onto the sidelines if the Bermuda Olympic Association do not allow a three-man party.

"We have been very impressed with James upon his return here," said Triffitt of the Cheltenham College in England student. "He went back to study after the season last year and we haven't really been able to see how he has been progressing as a player.

"I wrote a fairly intensive running programme for him to stick to and he seems to have done very well with that. He has come back and is playing extremely well and beating players that have been ranked much higher than him."

Triffitt said whereas these were practice matches, the tie against Sherratt would really "put him to the test".

"It's one of those things. We would prefer not to have the challenge match but it's sort of been suggested to us by the Olympic Association," said Triffitt.

"James is used to playing under pressure. He has played a lot of Caribbean finals among other things.

"While he is performing very well in practice we haven't actually had real results where he has been playing for something.

"I think the Olympic Association wanted him to perform under pressure and put him to the test. If he can prove himself under pressure he can prove himself on the senior stage."

Technically, Bermuda can send five men and five women to the Games, but Triffitt said finances dictated a smaller squad.

"I think they (the BOA) are suggesting that we will only be able to have two players and so if James beats Tommy there is a possibility that James will go through and Tommy won't," he said.

"However, if Tommy beats James then it's perhaps only Tommy and Nick who will be going. It would appear that Nick is pretty certain to be selected, particularly based on his performances in the Caribbean."

Not wanting to let any of the players down, Triffitt said he would be lobbying on behalf of all of them over the coming days.

"We would definitely like all three to go. Tommy and Nick have been there before. Tommy is getting back up to speed, it has been a little slow going because he has been absent from competition for a while," he said.

"James is rapidly improving and as far as his bid for the World Junior Championships is concerned, it would be a huge benefit for him to go to the Commonwealth Games beforehand and get some massive international experience."