Kyle Lightbourne has urged Bermuda Hogges not to dwell on their away day blues ahead of their welcome return home to the National Sports Centre for a "must win" game against Crystal Palace Baltimore.

Hogges have slipped severely out of play-off contention since beating Real Maryland Monarchs almost a month ago, having failed to take a point from their last four overseas outings.

Given their dismal away record this season, Lightbourne accepts Hogges' play-off pretensions will depend almost entirely on their home form and has set them an 11-point target from their remaining five NSC fixtures.

"It's a must win match against Palace for us. We definitely need to take something from the game," said Lightbourne. "We've five home matches left and so there's still plenty to play for. We're looking at three wins and a couple of draws and hopefully that would put us back in contention.

"Despite our last four defeats confidence is okay and the players have not let their heads drop."

A shaft of light amidst the recent on the road gloom has been the performances of Seion Darrell who impressed in the holding midfield role in Hogges' back-to-back defeats last weekend.

The versatile youngster has also starred for Bermuda Under-23s during their matches against USL-D2 opposition and is now pushing for a regular start in Lightbourne's line-up.

"Seion really impressed me in the holding midfield position. He's definitely in contention for a start now and seems to have matured a lot this season," Lightbourne said.

Meanwhile, mystery surrounds Marlon Rojas' Hogges future with the former Trinidad and Tobago international believed to be upset about his lack of opportunities so far this campaign.

The former Real Salt Lake player is yet to travel with Hogges this term and it remains unclear as to why he has not attended training in recent weeks.

When asked whether Rojas remained a Hogges player, Lightbourne said he planned to speak to the powerful midfielder later this week and hoped he would still be available for their home games.

"I'm due to speak to Marlon this week. He hasn't been able to travel because of work although we could have done with him last week," said Lightbourne. "I'm hoping he can help us out at home but we'll see how things go."

Striker Antwan Russell was unable to travel to the US last weekend through illness but Lightbourne said he should be fit to return to action against USA Eagles tomorrow night at 8 p.m.

Like Hogges, Crystal Palace Baltimore have also struggled in front of goal this season scoring just 10 goals in –12 matches and are likely to be without Bermuda international John Barry Nusum due to injury.

Hogges 2009 home form

Won 2-1 against Harrisburg City Islanders

Won 1-0 against Richmond Kickers

Drew 0-0 against Wilmington H'heads

Lost 1-0 against Wilmington H'heads

Won 1-0 against Real Maryland Monarchs