By Paul-Andre Walker, Staff Reporter
Jamaican International, Ricardo Fuller, dribbles by team-mate Damion Stewart during a Reggae Boyz practice session at the National Stadium yesterday. The Reggae Boyz are preparing for tomorrow's friendly international against Venezuela. - Ricardo Makyn / Staff Photographer
JAMAICA'S REGGAE Boyz will go into tomorrow's high profile friendly international against Venezuela without Coventry City striker Onandi Lowe.
Lowe, who was recently arrested in England for allegedly possessing drugs with intent to supply, is grounded in the United Kingdom, unable to travel, and has been replaced by debutant Marlon King who plies his trade at First Division Nottingham Forrest.
A Coventry City website, iccoventry .co.uk, stated Lowe was attempting to regain his passport so he could have played for Jamaica.
"Onandi Lowe is trying to get his passport returned by the police in order to play for Jamaica in a friendly against Venezuela, the report stated.
"The striker, who is on police bail following his arrest in connection with drug offences, continues to stay at home and is not currently involved with training or matches at City."
Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) press officer Earl Bailey said even if Lowe was allowed to travel, the player wouldn't have been in coach Carl Brown's 21-man squad.
"Onandi cannot travel, the police have his passport and I don't think that he would be in the frame of mind to play any football anyway," said Bailey.
Brown said Lowe's presence will be missed but the effect might not be too detrimental to the team.
"He has been getting a goal for us in each game and we will miss him and the players themselves understand that and they will just have to step up, he said.
"I believe this will motivate the players too. It will be a motivating factor instead of a hindrance."
King had his first training session with the Reggae Boyz yesterday at the National Stadium and believes he can do well if given the opportunity.
"I am getting used to the players and the whole team are helping me to settle in," he said. "My strength is scoring goals, goals are important to any team so I hope when I get the chance I can take my opportunities."
Brown seemed impressed with the Forest striker.
"Marlon is an attacking striker, he plays for Nottingham Forest, has been getting some goals for them. At 24 he is a young striker. He's one of those strikers that we're hearing more and more of in England. He can also play for the Republic of Ireland and actually turned down an invitation to go and play for them in preference for coming here," he said.
Apart from Lowe, the Reggae Boyz will also be missing striker Fabian Taylor and midfielder Jermaine Johnson. Taylor, who recently secured a deal with NewYork/New Jersey Metro Stars of the United States Major League, is just settling in and Brown said he would like him to do so unhindered.
