Jonté Smith says he still has the desire to “play at the highest level” amid speculation linking him with a return to the Football League during next month’s transfer window.

The Bermuda striker has caught the eye of a handful of lower league clubs, with Swindon Town believed to be leading the race to secure his signature.

Smith did his chances of joining Swindon no harm after netting a hat-trick and providing an assist to help the Sky Bet League Two side to 4-1 win in a recent behind-closed-doors friendly.

The 24-year-old made an immediate impact after coming on as a second-half substitute during an eye-catching performance, which could have done enough to convince the Swindon manager Richie Wellens to sign him.

“I have always had the ambition to play at the highest level.Hopefully, one day I can achieve that,” said Smith, who made four appearances for Crawley Town in League One during the 2012-2013 season.

“I am focused on helping Lewes and Bermuda continue the good run of form we are on.

“I want to say thanks to everyone at the club, the directors, the fans and coaching staff for having faith in me. Darren [Freeman] has helped me a lot with my progression and I try to reward that every week on the field by scoring goals.”

Oxford United, Mansfield Town and Crawley are also reported to be considering making a swoop for the player.

The son of Clay Smith, the former North Village midfielder and Bermuda cricket captain, recently scored his 50th goal for Lewes, who are second in the Bostick League Premier Division.

Smith missed Bermuda’s 1-0 win over El Salvador in a Concacaf Nations League qualifier at the National Stadium last month through personal reasons.

He has, however, made himself available for the national team’s final qualifier away to the Dominican Republic in March.

“I am available for the next Nations League match,” Smith said. “I do wish that I could have been a part of the squad that got that result, but circumstances prevented me from being available to do so.”

Bermuda’s hopes of reaching the Gold Cup in the United States for the first time next year received a boost after Nahki Wells’s header earned the island a famous victory over El Salvador. The island are seventh in the Nations League standings and in a strong position with two wins from three games. The top ten teams advance to the Gold Cup.

“The expectation at this point is to qualify for the Gold Cup,” Smith said. “That’s what we’re aiming for and with the right result in the next match we can achieve that. I believe it’s in our hands. It’s up to us to deliver the performance.”

Bermuda face the Dominican Republic at the Pan Americano Stadium on March 24.