Bermuda are "playing Russian roulette'' with their World Cup chances by not demanding the return of professional strikers Shaun Goater and Kyle Lightbourne, according to senior national team coach Robert Calderon.

Bermuda Football Association have not invoked their right to demand the release of the pair from their English clubs for either of next month's two World Cup ties against Antigua and Calderon fears that may prove a costly mistake.

"To have them for one of the two legs would have been a compromise with their clubs, but to not have them for either game is World Cup suicide,'' said Calderon.

"We could be out of the World Cup in two matches. We're playing Russian roulette. We need our best players. If countries don't have their best players, then the World Cup is devalued.'' Calderon believed the players had indicated they did not want to play in next month's matches and had thereby forced the BFA's hand.

"It is my understanding that they requested not to be involved,'' said the coach. "We are being forced into making decisions at the end of the day.

"No player is more important than the team and we should not be prepared to play him on his terms. It is my opinion that if Shaun Goater does not want to be involved then we should cut our losses mentally and go forward without him.'' Calderon explained that the absence of the two top strikers would cause disruption. And there could also be further upset for regulars being replaced by the pair if they returned to the side in later rounds.

"It's not yet caused visible disruption, but this does not make for good team harmony or cohesion,'' said Calderon. "But all players have ambition. They want to succeed and they know they need the best players around them.'' Comments made by Goater since he scored a hat-trick for Bermuda in their 5-1 victory in the BVI have indicated the striker feels Bermuda don't need him in their Caribbean zonal qualifiers. And he is reluctant to miss games for Manchester City who are bidding to gain promotion to the Premiership.

Lightbourne's club Stoke City are also pushing for promotion from Division Two and he has a chance to play at Wembley for the first time in the Auto Windscreens Shield final on April 16 -- the same day Bermuda play in Antigua.

The pair played in last month's first leg in the BVI when both got on the scoresheet and Bermuda built up a four-goal cushion. They were then excused from the home leg.

Calderon said Bermuda should look at the example of Trinidad and Tobago, who have requested the release of Dwight Yorke from Manchester United.

"Some people are saying they should be left alone, we should not disrupt their livelihoods, but if we can't have our best players, what are we trying to do in the World Cup? "Look at Trinidad. They are a country with many professionals, yet they feel strongly the need to bring back Dwight Yorke, who is involved with a club trying to win the Premiership. I feel just as strongly.'' Calderon welcomed the news that Clyde Best had been invited by the BFA to continue working with the national teams, after his contract as technical director expired.

"It makes all the sense in the world that we have continuity. It's far less disruptive, particularly to the programmes in place right now, for him to remain.'' Absentee: Shaun Goater, who will miss Bermuda's World Cup clash with Antigua, challenges BVI goalkeeeper Monti Butler.

Robert Calderon: wants best players for national team.