Shawn Goater is concerned that representing his country next month in Jamaica could jeopardise the excellent progress he has made with English Second Division side Bristol City.

Bermuda Football Association are hoping to have both Goater and Kyle Lightbourne of Walsall with the national team for the trip to Jamaica for the qualifying matches in the Shell/Umbro Cup when new coach Clyde Best makes his debut.

But as was the case in 1992 when he joined Bermuda for the World Cup qualifying campaign and found himself unable to get back into the Rotherham team, Goater is worried that the same could apply at Bristol City, even though he is the team's top scorer.

Goater scored his 13th goal of the season on Saturday when he hit the winner in the 68th minute for a 2-1 triumph over Burnley which lifted the team to their highest position this season, fourth.

"Obviously this is a situation where the clubs can do nothing,'' said Goater, referring to a directive from FIFA that clubs must release players for international matches. "At the end of the day we have to go back.'' The BFA have been trying to agree a date with the clubs when the two players could be released to join the team. They want the players back a week early to train before going to Jamaica but the clubs are reluctant because they have important matches on February 8. The dates for the tournament are February 12-19.

"If we get through this phase then we'll go back in April, which could mean a total period of about three weeks, and you don't just come back and walk straight into the team,'' said Goater.

"And you have to consider your fitness because the fitness is totally different. The pace would be a bit slower because it's a hotter climate and you come back here and it's 100 miles an hour, so all those things you have to weigh up.'' Such is the depth of the City squad that Goater has been fortunate in that he has regained his place following a knee injury which kept him out for five matches.

"It's a funny situation because I know that the BFA want to start afresh and they want to to show they are serious by doing the things that they are doing,'' said Goater.

"They want to start by requesting us back and I was told they will be having random drug testing to show that they mean business.'' Goater and Lightbourne have been their club's top scorers for the past three years and soon interest from Premier League clubs could be shown.

"We want to represent our country but we also don't want to let go of our dream,'' Goater stressed.

"It's important for Kyle and myself that we continue to score as we have done in the last two seasons. No one knows what can happen.'' The players are expected to talk with the BFA again this week as they try to work out a solution which is agreeable to all concerned.

"The latest I heard was they were having a meeting and were to discuss whether to go ahead and call back Kyle and myself,'' Goater explained.

"We're waiting to see the outcome of that meeting and whether or not we're coming home and from there when we will be coming and for how long.''