By Nodley Wright, Staff Reporter
THREE ENGLAND-based Reggae Boyz have confirmed their participation in Jamaica's February 12 friendly against the United States at the National Stadium.
Those to have sent definite answers to the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) are first time invitee Damien Francis of Wimbledon FC, Watford's Micah Hyde and Deon Burton of Portsmouth. Making the disclosure was technical director Carl Brown in and interview with The Gleaner yesterday.
"So far we have had confirmations from Francis, Hyde and Burton," said Brown who added that invitations were sent out to about eight or nine players. The fact that only three solid responses have come in so far is not a worry to Brown who will guide the team in its first match on home soil and second overall since being confirmed in his position as technical director.
"I have spoken to the people at Bolton Wanderers and they have verbally given consent for Ricardo (Gardner) and Jermaine (Johnson) but have no confirmation for (Onandi) Lowe and (Kevin) Lisbie yet.
"It does not seem to be a problem. It is just that some times the clubs wait until they get the travel itinerary before responding to the national associations," Brown explained.
Twenty-three-year-old Leicester forward Trevor Benjamin, who made his debut against Nigeria last November, is another yet to confirm his participation.
While Benjamin and the others are expected to show, players who will not be seen are Queen's Park Rangers midfielder Richard Langley, who made his debut against Nigeria last May, Jamie Lawrence, Fitzroy Simpson, Paul Hall and Keith Kelly (REAC MONS).
Langley, Brown said, reinjured one of his knees which had been surgically repaired. He underwent a minor surgery and will definitely not be available for the US game. The often-injured Jamie Lawrence has again been struck down by the jinx - this time a broken jaw.
"We are trying not to pull those two for this game. We are keeping some of them for the Gold Cup qualifiers in March so we have not sent for them this time," said Brown about Hall and Simpson.
Kelly who has is just completing his first of a six-month loan to the Belgian club, will not be disturbed at this time. The trio of Andy Williams, Tyrone Marshall and Craig Ziadie of the United States Major League Soccer (MLS) have been extended invitations. Wolde Harris was not considered while Winston Griffiths has turned down invitations on at least two occasions, according to Brown.
