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Yellow cards rule out Lambe for World Cup clash

Reggie Lambe, seen here in action for Ipswich Town, will be missing when Bermuda take on Trinidad in their World Cup qualifying clash next week.

Bermuda will be without key man Reggie Lambe for their crucial qualifying clash against Trinidad at the National Sports Centre (NSC) next week.Lambe is serving a one-match suspension after picking up two bookings during last month’s qualifiers against the Soca Warriors and Guyana in the Caribbean.The out-of-contract midfielder, who has been linked with a move to MLS side Toronto FC, will be available for Bermuda’s following home match against Guyana on October 11.Despite Lambe’s absence, Bermuda coach Devarr Boyles should still have a strong squad at his disposal with overseas trio Khano Smith, Freddy Hall and Nahki Wells all available.“Although availability has been suggested by everyone there’s still a process you have to go through,” said Boyles, who expects to name his squad on Friday for their matches against Trinidad and Guyana.“I’ve been speaking to some of the guys overseas and Khano Smith, Freddy Hall, Quadir Maynard, Tahj Bell and Nahki Wells are all confirmed.“We’re still waiting to learn whether Taurean (Manders) and Reiko (Trott) will be available, while there are also a bunch of players on the Island who we’re also going through the gears with.“It’s not as easy as just giving the players the dates and getting it done. We have to contact their employers so they can time off work, then there’s also a school component with players having to do exams and other logistical stuff.”Boyles knows Bermuda can ill-afford to lose either game if they are to keep their qualifying chances alive with only the top team from Group B advancing to the next round.However, he also believes Bermuda’s supporters must temper their expectations and insists his side’s main objective was merely to be competitive in both games.“We’re at a state in our football development where we want to be giving ourselves opportunities to get results,” he said. “We want to be really competitive in both games to the point where we at least have a chance of winning them.“We need to manage the expectations of the individual players and the team, while the country has to manage their own expectations of what they expect us to do.”Bermuda Football Association (BFA) had considered preparing the squad at the Florida training base they trained at before last month’s qualifiers so to avoid on-Island distractions such as work and family commitments.But due to a lack of finances, Boyles said they had decided to hold two five-day camps at the NSC with the players checking into the hotel 48 hours prior to each game.“We had talked about holding an overseas training camp in Fort Lauderdale but with both games on the Island it’s more financially prudent to hold a camp here in Bermuda,” said Boyles.“A lot of the local employers have allowed their employees to be released for those days and we are very thankful to them for that.”Bermuda’s home matches are against Trinidad on October 7, Guyana on October 11 and Barbados on November 11. Their final qualifier is against Barbados away on November 15.Tickets for Bermuda’s qualifiers are available at www.bermudafa.comPrices are as follows: Grandstand $25; general seating $15; children under-12 (general seating) $10, seniors (general seating $10). For more details on the BFA’s three-match package and VIP package visit their website.The team’s replica jersey is also now on sale for $65 at the BFA office.