At present the situation is not being discussed at either club for those players whose contracts expire at the end of the season. However, both Bermudians are confident they will be offered new ones.

"The manager's contract expires also so he's looking at sorting himself out first,'' said Goater of his Rotherham boss Phil Henson.

"He's not looking at talking about contracts until the end of the season. I wouldn't expect to hear anything until May 7, which is the date of our last game.'' The situation is much the same at Third Division Walsall where Lightbourne's team is chasing a spot in the promotion play-offs. Walsall are seventh in the standings with the fourth to seventh placed teams involved in the end-of-season play-offs for the final promotion spot.

"None of the players have been offered new contracts as yet, it just all depends on the rest of the season,'' said Lightbourne.

"We have five games left and we're in a position for the play-offs. I don't think they'll make any serious changes to the squad and will probably add to the team if anything.'' Lightbourne, in his first season with the club, is the top scorer with 10 goals. And while he has not scored in the last few games, Lightbourne is not overly concerned since he has been switched to a midfield role.

"The last goal I scored was against Crewe, four or five games ago,'' he explained. "I haven't played up front for the last four or five games when he put me back in midfield.

"I've played over 30 games for them and I haven't spent any time on the bench.

"I've only been substituted four or five times, twice when I came off injured. My manager (Kenny Hibbitt) feels that when I'm playing well the team is playing well and hopefully I can continue to play well and look forward to next season.'' Lightbourne's new role is one of creator rather than scorer so the scoring opportunities are not as plentiful as when he was playing in the attack.

"In the position I'm playing he's (Hibbitt) not so bothered about me not scoring,'' said Lightbourne.

A trip abroad, possibly to Europe, has been promised if the team earns a place in the play-offs. Walsall dropped two vital points at home on Tuesday night when they were held to a 1-1 draw by third-from-bottom Wigan.

"I just felt we didn't have the luck on the night, we hit the post twice and then scored in the last minute,'' Lightbourne said.

"We've been struggling at home but the next two games are away, against Wycombe (tomorrow) and Preston next Saturday.

"If we win both of those game we will definitely make it to the play-offs. We haven't been beaten in the last four or five games and that's good because we're starting to get a run together.'' Of the trip, Lightbourne said Bermuda was the top choice of the Walsall players. "Everybody wants to come to Bermuda, but it will probably be somewhere in Europe, and right after the season. Ever since we've been promised the trip we haven't lost a game.'' Lightbourne is just off a trip back home, as he and Goater returned for last week's friendly match against the United States `B' team. Both enjoyed the brief break and have spoken highly of new Technical Director of Coaching Burkhard Ziese.

"Some may think he's a bit harsh but I think that's the best thing,'' said Lightbourne. "He's trying to achieve something and I think he's doing a good thing.

"If a player doesn't show interest he doesn't want you around. The way he treats players is the way we (he and Goater) get treated.

"He impressed me with the way he handled situations. We watched a bit of the Test on TV (at the team hotel) and he said he didn't want us to watch any cricket at all.'' Goater was pleased with the fact that he scored on his return to the Bermuda line-up, a scoring streak he has continued back in England with his eighth goal of the season in the 2-1 win on Saturday against Bradford.

He was also pleased with what he saw of Ziese in his brief return. "I was quite impressed. Although I only had two training sessions I got the feeling he can help the national squad.

"He has definitely coached at a high level. I would even say he is better than my coach at Rotherham. That was one of my better trips home.'' While Goater was away, Rotherham, trying to steer clear of the relegation zone in the Second Division, lost 1-0 to Cardiff.

They drew 0-0 with Bournemouth on Tuesday to stay three places clear of the relegation zone.

Unlike the World Cup campaign, Goater was put right back into the team when he returned to England.

"I was quite confident with my display before I left so I felt I would still be featured in the starting 11,'' said Goater.

He has scored four goals in the last five matches which keeps him in sight of his pre-season target of 15 goals.

"That's the sort of form I need for the remaining eight games. We have to play Reading and Port Vale so we have some important games coming up. With Hartlepool (tomorrow) it's important we take them to the cleaners.'' With top scorer Imre Varadi and Ian Helliwell going through lean patches, Goater is the team's key striker at present.

"Everyone's telling me I'm the one on form.'' SHAWN GOATER -- Still on target for 15-goal year.