Star striker John Barry Nusum has been bizarrely snubbed ahead of this week's friendly between Bermuda and Colorado Rapids confessing, "I didn't even know we had a game."

When contacted by The Royal Gazette yesterday, Nusum was stunned into an embarrassing silence when asked to offer his thoughts on Friday's World Cup qualifying warm-up game at the National Sports Centre.

"I didn't even know there was a match to be honest," said a confused Nusum. "Nobody has been in touch with me, so as it stands I guess it's fair to say I'll not be playing.

"It doesn't bother me that nobody has thought to contact me. I'm not hurt by it. It is what it is and I'm not overly surprised. Hopefully I'll be involved against Cayman Islands in the second leg."

The fact the Philadelphia Kixx marksman has been left out of the communication loop ahead of the Rapids match is a bemusing decision considering he is the national team's most potent goal threat.

It also resembles the latest in a catalogue of recent controversies for Bermuda Football Association (BFA) during what has been a turbulent qualifying campaign following the sacking of assistant coach Jack Castle, Aljame Zuill's fall-out with coach Keith Tucker and tales of poor attendance at training.

Nusum, 26, returned to the Island for the home leg clash with Cayman last month and needs just one goal to tie Shaun Goater as Bermuda's top goalscorer in World Cup qualifying.

When contacted BFA general secretary David Sabir said it was the national team coach's responsibility to contact those players selected to represent their country.

Meanwhile, Nusum has given his strongest indication yet that he could nail his colours to the Bermuda Hogges mast for their upcoming USL-D2 season.

The former Wolves' striker took a sabbatical from football last season to ward off fatigue and has not ruled out a reunion with his former national team coaches Kyle Lightbourne and Paul Scope.

Although he stressed he would not be rushed into making a definite decision while Kixx continue their chase for silverware, he revealed he would be speaking to co-owner Paul Scope over the coming weeks about the possibility of joining the Hogges.

"I know the Hogges are interested in me and I spoke to Kyle Lightbourne a few weeks ago," said Nusum who previously played for the now defunct Virginia Beach Mariners in USL-D1.

"I will also be speaking to Paul Scope on the matter in the near future.

"I'm a free agent and the Hogges are an option for me. I must admit it would be good to spend time on the Island and see my family and friends. I also know the Hogges' players and this coming season is a very important one for them.

"I remember the Puerto Rico Islanders were the whipping boys in their first season in the USL-D1, but they really kicked on during their second campaign and the Hogges must look to do the same.

"At this point I can definitely say that I've not closed the door to any offers from them or anyone else."

The Hogges' hierarchy are known admirers of Nusum's attributes and believe his physical attacking edge as well as on-field leadership qualities could help accelerate their transition into becoming a driving force in the USL-D2.

"John's definitely a player we're interested in for next season," admitted president Shaun Goater. "He would certainly bring a professional attitude and would be a major coup for us.

"I think it would be a beneficial move for both parties but we will just have to see what develops over the coming weeks."

Nusum has been nursing a knee injury this MISL season and said he would need to find out whether he required an operation before making a decision.

Last week North Village Rams utility-man Keishen Bean declared his desire to pull on a Hogges jersey, but only if it did not threaten his eligibility to play college football in the US.