Paul Scope believes Bermuda Hogges could not be facing Charlotte Eagles at a better time with tonight's fixture resembling a "dead rubber" for the North Carolina-based outfit who are already guaranteed a place in the USL Division 2 play-offs.

But while the Eagles may have one eye cast on their forthcoming play-off showdown, the Island's first football franchise have everything still to play for as they strive to lift themselves off the bottom of the division.

Should the Eagles slightly take their foot off the gas in this final fixture of their regular season Scope, the Hogges co-owner, knows his young charges must be prepared to capitilise.

"Charlotte Eagles are positioned in a bit of no-man's land at the moment as they have secured a play-off place in fourth place, but they can't catch the team above them in third position," said Scope.

"So the fixture does resemble a bit of a dead-rubber for them in some respects and we have to be prepared to take advantage of that. With two games left we are confident we can finish off the bottom of the table and have been in good form in our last two games. We know they are a very good side with some quality players but I don't think we could be playing them at a better time."

Tonight's clash at Waddell High School will be the Hogges third game in the space of six days and they have fresh injury doubts over left-wing back Jabrel Tucker who was forced off at half-time in their 1-0 defeat against Western Mass Pioneers on Tuesday night.

Midfielder Jared Peniston has been ruled out of the Hogges' remaining two fixtures with a hamstring injury picked up during their four-game tour of the US.

But the Hogges may welcome back top-goalscorer and franchise player Stevie Astwood who has missed their last three games after limping off with a hamstring injury against Western Mass Pioneers at the National Sports Centre last month.

It is believed the powerful striker may fly out today to join up with his team-mates whose season's curtain call is on Sunday night against Wilmington Hammerheads at the Legion Sports Complex.

"Stevie (Astwood) is an important player for us and we are investigating if we can fly him over to the US to join up with the rest of squad," added Scope. "We believe he has made an improvement with his injury and even if he is not ready for action it would be nice for him to be out here when we end our first season.

"It's our third game in a week, so we have to make sure that everyone remains fresh. Everyone with the exception of Nigel Burgess and Kyle Lightbourne played against Western Mass Pioneers on Tuesday.

"We have plenty of options up front though, with both Lloyd Holder and Raymond Beach having good run outs against Pioneers so we can shuffle our pack if needs be."

The Hogges have 12 points from 18 games this season and are just one point below New Hampshire Phantoms and four points off Wilmington Hammerheads in seventh place.

Meanwhile Hogges defender Omar Shakir has been selected in the USL-D2's Team of the Week for the 16th week of the season.