Ian Coke has been ruled out of Bermuda’s two friendly matches against Antigua and Barbuda, and Barbados, in the Caribbean this month.

The Dandy Town forward has withdrawn from the squad after dislocating his knee during his team’s 7-3 triumph over Young Men’s Social Club in the Premier Division last weekend.

Bermuda play Antigua and Barbuda on March 21 before facing Barbados on March 25.

“I’d been training with the national squad and was definitely looking forward to it,” Coke said. “I’ve never been to those countries yet and was looking for revenge over Barbados. But I’m going to have to sit this one out and root for the team from here.”

Bermuda squandered a 2-0 lead in 3-2 home defeat to Barbados in their previous outing at the National Stadium last October.

Coke, last season’s MVP and joint leading scorer in the top flight, has also been ruled out for the remainder of the season.

The 28-year-old suffered his injury just seconds before the interval and was subsequently taken to hospital.

“I was turning and when I shifted my foot it stayed planted and the knee gave way,” Coke explained.

“Nothing is broken or torn. It’s a dislocation in the knee, which shocked all the nerves, tendons and ligaments around it. I have mobility, but it’s still swollen.”

Coke is now looking forward to rejoining the national programme before September’s opening Concacaf Nations League qualifier away to Aruba.

“I’m getting ready for the next one in September,” he said. “The plan is catch the beginning of the season in good form and stronger and just go from there.”

Coke is delighted that the Nations League has come to fruition and believes the tournament will have great benefits for the local game.

“We definitely need more international competition to help raise the level of football in Bermuda and it’s a great opportunity for the players,” he said. “The future appears brighter now with this competition coming about.

Coke was not the only player injured during Sunday’s Premier match between Social Club and visiting Town at Police Field and taken to hospital for treatment.

Not long after arriving at the hospital Coke was joined by Social Club siblings Clay and Psalm Darrell, who were both injured while challenging for a cross. Clay dislocated his knee while his brother, who had come on as substitute eight minutes earlier, suffered a broken nose and concussion.

“My day was over and 20 minutes later I saw a blue and white shirt come across my room and it was Clay Darrell,” Coke said.

“I said to him, ‘what’s this’ and he told me that his knee popped out and his brother got a concussion and a broken nose.

“I stopped by their rooms at the hospital and I have also visited their house to check on them.”