him out of Hereford United's early matches in the English Third Division, even though he is now back in the first team.

Jennings has played in a three-man defence in the last two matches, in the 1-1 draw with Cardiff on Sunday and the 4-2 loss to York on Tuesday night, while Bermuda captain Meshach Wade came on as a sub late in the Cardiff match and did not play on Tuesday. He, too, has had problems with injuries.

Both players expect to rejoin the Bermuda team in the first week of October in time for the October 18 second-round match with El Salvador at the National Stadium, probably after the October 3 home match against Wrexham.

Jennings hopes to use Hereford's next three matches before the World Cup tie to regain full match fitness.

"I haven't totally recovered from the injury but it's good enough to get me through,'' he said.

"Last night was probably the worst game I've had and there's still some way to go as far as getting sharp. The ankle injury slowed me down a bit but with a few more games I should be back on top of my game.'' It seems certain the pair will be allowed to stay with the Bermuda team rather than travel back to England, especially since during the period Bermuda play their World Cup matches Hereford have just one midweek game -- on Tuesday, November 3.

"Between now and when we come back we have three games and I'm looking to stay in for those three games and be as sharp as possible,'' said Jennings.

"The fitness is there, it's just a matter of staying in the team.'' Hereford are languishing near the bottom of the standings but Jennings says that is no reflection of how well the team is playing.

"If we get two wins and a draw from our next three games we could be in the top 10 very easily,'' he said.

"The results aren't saying anything for the way we're playing.'' Because of the club's small playing staff -- just 16 professionals -- both Jennings and Wade have been playing in different positions during practice matches.

Jennings has been at centre-back and on the right side of midfield (the team does not have any full-backs in their new 3-4-3 formation) while Wade has been tried at sweeper in practice.

"With a small team, when injuries creep in we may have to chop and change,'' explained Jennings. "Of the 16 professionals one is out with a serious back injury.'' MESHACK WADE -- Used in a reserve by Hereford for now.