Former Everton and Benfica star Mark Pembridge put Bermuda's national team players through their paces at Fulham's training ground yesterday in preparation for their match against Chelsea reserves.

Pembridge, who won 54 caps for Wales, shared his top-flight knowledge and experience with the Gombey Warriors' 18-man squad who arrived in the UK for their four-day training trip on Monday.

Bermuda will provide Chelsea's second string with a work-out at the Premiership powerhouses' multi-million dollar training headquarters tomorrow.

Derek Broadley, Bermuda Football Association's technical director, said he believed Pembridge and Fulham's other youth academy coaches had been impressed by the quality and enthusiasm of Bermuda's players.

"The Fulham coaches didn't know quite what to expect from our players and I know they've been pleasantly surprised by what they've seen so far," said Broadley. "Their attitude has been first class and I think this is what the players have also wanted - intensive training at a top facility.

"They've all been impressed with the set-up at Fulham and are thriving off it".

While Pembridge worked with the outfield players, Fulham 'keeper coach Vic Bettinelli drilled Bermuda custodians Timmy Figuerido and fit-again Jason Williams.

"I was very impressed with both 'keepers who showed good work ethic and nice hand shapes," said Bettinelli, who worked with Broadley at Crystal Palace's youth academy.

The majority of Bermuda's squad in the UK are fresh off Hogges' encouraging win over Wilmington Hammerheads at the National Sports Centre on Saturday. Broadley, who attended the match with national team assistant Kenny Thompson, was full of praise for Hogges' compact defending in the first half and fluid passing in the second period.

"It's really important the Hogges and the national team work together and I believe that's beginning to happen," he said. "I thought they defended very well in the first half and showed good discipline. I also thought they put together six or seven really good passing moves in the second half and were well worth a win."