Bermuda international John Barry Nusum has targetted an early new year return to training as he continues his recovery from a serious knee injury.

The burly striker tore his anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) while playing for Crystal Palace Baltimore in the USL-D2 last summer and underwent surgery during the off-season.

His intense rehabilitation programme has prevented him from rejoining National Indoor Soccer League (NISL) outfit Philadelphia Kixx, but he hopes to be fit and raring to go when Palace start pre-season training.

"I'm still having rehabilitation following the surgery I had during the off-season," said Nusum.

"Hopefully I will be able to return to training sometime in the new year so I can get fit for Crystal Palace Baltimore's next season.

"I won't be playing for Philadelphia Kixx this term in the National Indoor Soccer League and at the moment I'm a free agent."

The 28-year-old remains optimistic despite his frustrating time on the treatment table and is confident of making a full recovery.

"It's been frustrating for me but I'm just taking my time and focusing on getting myself 100 percent fit," he said.

"Of course it's been difficult because I've been out for so long but I'm a very positive person and there are no issues.

"Crystal Palace Baltimore know my situation and have been very supportive.

"I'll be talking to with them in the New Year to renegotiate my contract."

Nusum's injury means Baltimore Blast recent capture, Logan Alexander, will be the sole Bermudian plying his trade in the NISL this season.

And Nusum, who was a member of the Kixx team which won the title in 2007, reckons his compatriot will fare well in the indoor game.

"I've been seeing a lot of Logan and was out with him in Baltimore recently.

"He definitely has the ability to well for the Blast, but more importantly he has the mental toughness for it," he added.

Nephew of Sam Nusum, the ex-Bermuda goalkeeper and New York Cosmos star, Nusum had hoped his move to Palace would open up possibilities to further advance his career, with the ambitious team the American arm of the English Championship side.

But he spent the majority of last season on the treatment table which reduced the former Bermuda Hogges marksman to just five appearances.

He has been troubled by injuries since scoring twice for Bermuda's national team against Trinidad 18 months ago to leapfrog Shaun Goater as the Island's all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup qualifying football.