Bermuda Hogges have received a major boost ahead of their match against Richmond Kickers after a raft of their high profile players were left out of Kenny Thompson's squad for Trinidad.

Midfield schemer Sammy DeGraff was the biggest surprise among the casualties, while defenders Darius Cox, Johnny Ball and Seion Darrell also failed to make the cut for Sunday's first leg in Port of Spain.

Talented trialists such as mercurial midfielder Keith Jennings, Bermuda internationals Brendon Minors, Cecoy Robinson and PHC midfielder Blenn Bean will also be heading to Virginia tomorrow.

Mystery midfielder Andrew Charlton, who recently returned to the Island from college in the US, is another player in the reckoning to make the surprisingly strong squad, including Stevie Astwood, Lashun Dill and Aljame Zuill.

Both president Shaun Goater and head coach Kyle Lightbourne have also registered themselves as players for Saturday's fixture at the University of Richmond Stadium.

Goater said he was relatively pleased with the quality of the Hogges' travelling party considering the amount of players the club have lost to the national team.

"In terms of attacking quality we're very pleased and we believe we still have players who can cause Kickers problems," said Goater.

"The next few games are potentially very important for some of our fringe players who will have an opportunity to cement a place in the team.

"Obviously we're pleased that Sammy DeGraff will be available to us.

"Sammy's been very consistent for us and is a strong, steady player at this level."

Goater said the trialists would also be given an opportunity to stake a claim for a place in the Hogges roster with a number of slots up for grabs.

"We will not sign a player just for the sake of it and we would have rather a smaller squad than be carrying players who are not fully committed to the cause.

"We want players not only to show us they have the required quality but also the right attitude for semi-pro football," he said.

The Hogges must wait until Kenny Thompson selects his squad for the second leg before they know which players they will be without for next week's home turf double-header against Western Mass pioneers.

Goater admitted he had originally considered asking the United Soccer League (USL) if the Hogges could forfeit all three matches rather than take on trialists.

"I had considered trying to forfeit these games," said Goater.

"I was concerned those players coming in would not have the same responsibility to the Hogges, especially when we are travelling abroad.

"But we're confident the players joining us will take this opportunity with both hands.

"Plus, there are a healthy amount of our squad available to us who we know will fall in line and show the new guys what's expected from them."

Bermuda Hogges take on Richmond Kickers on Saturday at 8 p.m. (Bermuda time). Richmond Kickers are placed sixth in the USL-D2 table.