Kyle Lightbourne goes into talks with Swindon Town manager Andy King this week with his future hanging in the balance.

The Bermudian striker's month-long loan to Swindon from fellow English Second Division side Stoke City expires on Friday and Lightbourne will find out in the next two days whether it will be extended.

King moved in to sign Lightbourne soon after he was transfer-listed by Stoke, but the Bermuda international has been plagued by misfortune ever since.

His first game against Port Vale ended in a 1-0 defeat, the club's next two matches were postponed because of bad weather and his second outing for the Robins ended with him limping off injured inside the first 20 minutes against Bury. Swindon went on to win 3-0.

The fine form of two other front men, on-loan Sunderland player Michael Reddy and teenager Gary Alexander, means Lightbourne will face a tough battle to get back into the starting line-up even if his stay at the County Ground continues.

Lightbourne has been back at Stoke undergoing physiotherapy and returned to training only yesterday.

"It was a thigh strain in my left leg, my kicking muscle, so there was no way I could play,'' explained Lightbourne yesterday.

"I've been having treatment at Stoke, because it's closer to home than Swindon. I trained today (yesterday) and there was no reaction, so that's a good sign.

"I think I should be fit for the weekend, but that depends on whether Swindon want to sign me up for another month.

"I've got to speak to the manager there this week. My loan is up on Friday and I will know what's going to happen by then.'' Swindon host Bristol City on Saturday in what should be a fiercely competitive clash between the west country rivals.

Despite his rash of bad luck, Lightbourne preferred to look on the bright side of his time at Swindon.

"At least the team has picked up some points since I've been there and they have been playing well,'' he said.

Whether or not he is wanted by Swindon, Lightbourne could find himself in demand from his country next month, when Bermuda play in the Copa Carib competition in Antigua.

Lightbourne returned to play for Bermuda on home turf in the same competition two years ago and delighted the National Stadium crowd with four goals in the 6-0 win against the Bahamas.

But with his future up in the air, Lightbourne said he could not comment at this time on his likely availability.

An added factor for Lightbourne is the English transfer deadline -- just two weeks after the Antigua tournament. Top of Lightbourne's agenda will be securing a permanent move away from Stoke by then, whether to Swindon or elsewhere.

And Lightbourne is hungry to continue a professional career which has seen him turn out in the colours of Scarborough, Walsall, Fulham, Coventry in the Premier League, Stoke and Swindon.

His desire to keep going could be fuelled by the fact he was a late starter, in professional soccer terms.

Lightbourne was 24 when he was first signed up by Scarborough in 1992, but had his contract cancelled a year later when a new manager took over the cash-strapped club. His career re-started when he was taken on by Walsall, where he went on to be top scorer.

"I turn 33 in September and I want to carry on playing in England until I'm at least 35,'' said Lightbourne. "So I want to keep going for at least two seasons after this one has finished.

"Coaching is something that would certainly appeal to me in the future and maybe that way, I could bring something back to the game in Bermuda.

"I can certainly see myself moving back to Bermuda, but I can't say when. It might be in two years or it might be in 10. I will have to go where my work takes me.'' All up in the air: Bermuda's Kyle Lightbourne, whose future remains uncertain, pictured in action for Swindon Town. The striker's loan period with Town expires on Friday.