Versatile defender Darius Cox has signed on for a fourth season with Bermuda Hogges and hopes to the feature in their double-header against high-flying Ironbound Express.

Cox, a regular under previous boss Kyle Lightbourne in the USL – Division Two, believes his extra experience of the higher level can help the Hogges get to grips with the Premier Development League (PDL).

The Devonshire Cougars' man has been training with coach Scott Morton's new-look Hogges' side for the past few weeks and has declared himself fit and available for Friday's opening match against the Express at BAA Field.

"I'm confident I can force my way into the team pretty soon. I'm available for this week's games and if selected I'll give 100 percent," said the Bermuda national team player.

"I probably need a little more fitness as I've been relaxing for a month or so and have only trained about four times. But hopefully in another week I should be back to where I need to be."

On occasions the Hogges defence has looked slightly suspect this season, sometimes struggling to cope particularly when up against a towering, physical front man. But Cox, a former Hogges skipper, should certainly add a more steely edge to their back-line which has been overly reliant on gifted goalkeeper Freddy Hall to get them out of trouble.

"I'm pretty versatile and can play anywhere across the back four," said Cox, who played alongside Hogges' team-mates Keishen Bean and Shayne Hollis at Cape Breton University in Canada last term.

"Hopefully I can bring what I learned while playing for the Hogges in the USL – Division Two. We had a very difficult three seasons as it was a very physical league.

"The PDL is probably a step lower but I've seen a few games and it looks like a fast paced and intense league."

At the relatively young age of 27, Cox is happy to perform the role of elder statesman in a dressing room made up of teenagers and early twentysomethings who he hopes to team-up with when the international programme reconvenes later this year.

"I've always wanted to play with these young guys. They have never really played together before, they're in a new league so it's going to take time.

"But there's a lot of talented youth and that's good for the Bermuda national team. Whenever the national team gets back together I want to be part of it and I'm ready to prove myself again."

Hogges take on Ironbound Express at BAA Field on Friday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 6 p.m.