I'll be doing my utmost to help Bermuda beat Antigua and Barbuda next week in the crucial opening match of our Digicel Caribbean Cup campaign.

Unfortunately I'll only be able to play the first group game as New England Revolution have some important cup games coming up in CONCACAF Champions league.

I've only just regained my first-team place in the Revs team and I'm determined to keep it, so I asked Bermuda's technical director Derek Broadley if it would be okay if I only played the first game.

If we can beat Antigua it will really set us up nicely for the rest of the tournament, as they will probably be the strongest team we will meet. It's a massive game for us.

I'll be joining the squad in Miami on Sunday before we head to Cayman the next day. As you may have read we haven't got our strongest squad available but I still believe we have the quality to get the job done.

Obviously Kevin Richards will be a massive blow. I know I'm always raving about Kevin in this column but he's such a terrific competitor and has a huge will to win.

Omar Shakir and Kofi Dill were also tremendous for us against Trinidad and their experience will be sorely missed. But their absence gives the chance for someone else to come in and make a name for themselves and I'm confident that whoever takes their place will do just fine.

We still have a number of key players available like John Barry Nusum, Damon Ming, Keishen Bean and Stevie Astwood, so we have plenty of experience.

I see we have a trio of Under-20s boys coming in. To be honest I don't know much about Tumani Steede, Casey Castle or Roger Lee and this trip should be a great learning experience for them.

I remember watching Tumani play as a very small boy and I imagine he's improved quite a bit since then, after all he's a man now. It's good to have the young guys around because they have no fear.

If we play to our strengths we should be okay and like Kenny Thompson, I believe the Gold Cup is a realistic possibility for us. There's no reason why we can't be a top four team in the Caribbean region.

After all we've shown what we can do against a top team such as Trinidad and that needs to be our benchmark. However, we certainly can't afford to take Cayman Islands, Antigua and Barbuda and St. Martin lightly. I don't know too much about any of the teams but I've been told Antigua played well against Cuba in their recent World Cup qualifiers.

I gather the Bermuda Football Association are looking for a full-time national team coach and youth director.

Obviously the decision has nothing to do with me, but for what it's worth I hope Kenny continues.

Kenny is an asset to the BFA in any capacity and he has the respect of the players. I feel it's important we have some continuity and stability.

See you at the corner flag!

n Bermuda national team take on Miami FC Blues from the United Soccer Leagues (USL) Division One in the US today.