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It certainly promises to be a busy couple of weeks for City stopper Clayton Ince. Not only is he battling it out with new signing Marton Fulop for the number one spot between the sticks with Micky Adams' men, but over the next week his World Cup dreams will be decided.


The 33-year-old has been limited to just three starts for the Sky Blues this term, two of which came in the Carling Cup against Rushden and Crystal Palace. But the former Crewe man will put domestic concerns to one side for the time being with 180 minutes standing between him and a place at Germany 2006.

And with Trinidad and Tobago facing a two-legged World Cup play-off clash with Bahrain in the coming days, having beaten a strong Mexico side in their last qualifying game, Ince is entering a crucial period in which his first team hopes and World Cup dreams will be shaped.

"I'm looking forward to it because every player wants to play football in the World Cup. And being a small country like Trinidad and Tobago, it's great to be there with the likes of England, Germany and Brazil, and we would be rated as one of the best 32 countries in the world at that time."

But standing in the way of Trinidad and Tobago and their first appearance at a World Cup finals are Bahrain, a side which finished third behind Japan and Iran in their qualifying group, before beating Uzbekistan in a play-off clash to set up the tie with the Soca Warriors.

And perhaps not surprisingly Ince admits to not knowing too much about the Asian side, but he is in no doubt that it will be a real battle with qualification for next summer's showpiece tournament at stake.

"I don't know much about them but football is worldwide and once a team is playing well they deserve to be where they are. Bahrain did what they had to do and are at that position, we did what we had to do and are at that position as well so who ever wins through will deserve it."