Bermuda's chances of reaching the next stage of the Under-20 World Cup qualifiers have been boosted following Haiti's surprise withdrawal from the competition.

Gary Darrell's men will now play in a group of three nations rather than four in Guadeloupe next week with the top two teams advancing to the next phase of the tournament.

In a further fillip for Bermuda, English professional Reggie Lambe has been given permission from his club Ipswich Town to play in the group matches against host nation Guadeloupe and Antigua and Barbuda.

Assistant coach Devarr Boyles said it was unclear as to why Haiti had pulled out.

"We never really know what happens when a team pulls out. But it's fair to say our chances of progressing to the next stage have improved by 25 percent," he said. "Having only three teams in our group certainly elevates our chances."

Also included in Darrell's 20-man squad are Bermuda Hogges players Corey Richardson, Reiko Trott, Rakeem DeShields, Roger Lee, Jaylon Bather, Troy Tucker, Quadir Maynard, Jair Minors and Daniel Andrade. Goalkeeper Tahj Bell is missing because of school commitments in the UK.

Head coach Darrell believes Lambe's influence both on and off the pitch will prove invaluable in Guadeloupe.

"Reggie's a full-time pro, he'll be key for us," said Darrell. "He has plenty of international experience having been part of the senior team which competed in the Digicel Cup two years' ago. We will play him in the position where we feel he will be most influential."

Guadeloupe have been labelled as the group favourites by Darrell, who has warned Bermuda not to underestimate Antigua and Barbuda.

"I have to believe we can progress from the group. I believe we have a very good group of players and are active so match fitness should not be a problem," he said.

"Guadeloupe have that French influence. I know they have contact with French clubs so they have a good structure in place. I think both games will be tough for us.

"I remember the senior team losing to Antigua in the Digicel Cup two years' ago and I think that may have been because we took them a bit too lightly."

Assistant coach Boyles admitted it had been difficult to prepare the team for the qualifiers as a high proportion of the players were based overseas.

"We're not a big country and most of our players are overseas so we have to wrap our heads around how to prepare them," he said. "Having the national academy is a huge help though because we have a structure in place which enables those players based on the Island to train regularly with our other groups.

Although only six of Bermuda's team are of the correct Under-20 age, Boyles is confident they can achieve the required results.

"We have only six players who are of the correct age of the tournament but the correct age for us is always about the player's ability. Let's be frank, though, we need to start winning, you can't advance if you don't win," said the Bermuda Football Association youth director.

Bermuda's squad head to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Friday where they will make their final preparations before heading to the Caribbean. They play Guadeloupe on October 20 and Antigua and Barbuda on October 22. Both matches will be played at the Rene Serge Abyss stadium.

In total, four groups will compete in the competition with the winner of each qualifying for the Concacaf Under-20 Championship in Guatemala in April. The runners-up will advance to the second group phase which will determine the Caribbean's fifth and final entry in the 12-team Confederations Cup.

Bermuda's squad

Corey Richardson – St.David's Warriors

Stephan Dill – Somerset Eagles

Reiko Trott – Boulevard Blazers

Rakeem DeShields – Somerset Eagles

Roger Lee – Somerset Eagles

Jaylon Bather – Somerset Eagles

Lequan Simmons – Devonshire Cougars

Aaron Nelson – Boulevard Blazers

Errin Simons – Dandy Town

Troy Tucker – Somerset Eagles

Reggie Lambe – Ipswich Town

Quadir Maynard – Boulevard

Jair Minors – BAA Wanderers

Dante Leverock – Dandy Town

Dunte Albouy – St.David's Warriors

Shannon Burchall – Dandy Town

Casey Castle – PHC

Naeem Griffith – PHC

Jamel Swan – Dandy Town

Daniel Andrade – Somerset Eagles