National team defender Kevin Richards is champing at the bit to have another crack at Caribbean Football Union (CFU) rivals Barbados.

It was learned yesterday that plans are in the works to have the 'Bajan Pride' touch down in Bermuda early next month to play two friendlies against the national team.

And Richards, who suited up against the Bajans in the Digicel Cup in the Caribbean in 2006, is keeping his fingers crossed those plans come off.

"I think the more friendlies we get to play the more we will improve," said the PHC player.

"Barbados are good opposition and if we do get to play them I think it would be very beneficial to us because they are the type of calibre you want to play against.

"If we can get another friendly in the lead up to the second leg match (World Cup qualifier) against Cayman Islands that will definitely help our cause. We need to be playing against good opposition in order to improve."

During the previous meeting between the two CFU rivals Bermuda suffered an early setback when 'keeper Timmy Figureido was sent off for a foul on Crystal Palace midfielder Paul Ifill as he raced towards goal.

Ifill curled in the resulting free-kick to give the Bajans the early lead on home soil.

But despite having to soldier on one man short, Bermuda showed plenty of heart and with a little luck might have won.

"I thought we dominated the game and actually ended up playing better one man short," Richards insisted. "We showed that we were as good or even a better team than they were."