Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
Lovell Palmer (right) in action during a National Premier League match against Tivoli Gardens. The player at left is Tivoli Gardens' Lenworth Hyde Jr. - file
EIGHT HARBOUR View players, including newcomer Lovell Palmer, were included in Jamaica's 18-man squad to play Guatemala in an international friendly in Atlanta tomorrow at 6.30 p.m.
Palmer, 20, a utility player for Harbour View, was called up to replace the injured Fabian Davis and was ecstatic about the golden opportunity presented to him to represent the senior team.
"I feel excited because the work finally paid off," Palmer told The Gleaner yesterday, moments after technical director Wendel Downswell informed him of his inclusion.
"It's just hard work and I'll continue to work hard and secure a place in the Gold Cup squad," Palmer added.
Meanwhile Downswell had high praise for Palmer who normally plays midfield or right back and is considered an unsung hero for his club.
"He's a nice little youth. I think he has been having a relatively good season and he is young. He was part of the under 23s but didn't make it at that time".
LATE DEVELOPERS
"You have some players that can be considered late developers. They might do so well at the youth level, but the fact that he is in a formidable programme as Harbour View's, it helped his development," explained Downswell.
The Reggae Boyz squad has an average age of 22, with goalkeepers Shawn Sawyers, Jermaine Hue at 27 years being the elder statesmen and includes five under-20 players.
DEERR IN TERRIFIC FORM
The red hot Portmore United striker Kevin Deerr, has been rewarded for his terrific form that propelled his team to victory in the second End-Of-Round final scoring 12 goals to be the leading marksman in the competition.
"We just wanted to have a look at him. He has been having a good season and he is just 24 and was part of all the youth programmes, the Under 20, Under 23 and then he got lost by the wayside," Downswell said of the talented but casual looking player.
Downswell continued: "I only hope I can bring him back. There is no doubt about his potential it is just for him to focus."
The local-based members of the squad will leave the island today at 3:30 and return on Friday.
SQUAD: Sean Sawyers (Portmore), Leighton Murray (Harbour View), Damion Stewart (Harbour View), Jerome Taylor (Harbour View), Tyrone Sawyers (Portmore) Adrian Reid (Waterhouse), Desmond Breakenridge (Waterhouse), Khari Stephenson (Kansas City Wizards), Omar Daley (Preston), Jermaine Hue (Harbour View), Akeem Priestly (Harbour View), Nicholi Findlayson (Reno), Lovell Palmer (Harbour View) Garfield Reid (Rivoli), Robert Scarlett (Harbour View), Luton Shelton (Harbour View), Roland Dean (Tivoli Gardens), Kevin Deerr (Portmore).
