The Nicaraguan government says it's agreed with Cuba to take around two-hundred Cubans who were recently sent home from the Bahamas after a failed attempt to escape their homeland.

A Nicaraguan spokesman said the Cubans could then apply for permanent asylum in a third country.

The Cuban authorities have not confirmed the deal.

The refugees fled in flimsy boats about three months ago and arrived in the Bahamas.

The authorities there deported them under an immigration accord with Havana.

The group includes three baseball players and a coach, who were banned from the game in Cuba.

American clubs have signed several exiled Cuban players, including one for six point six million dollars.