Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer
Luton Shelton (left) breaking away from Nelson Morales of Guatemala to score Jamaica's first goal during the first half of their CONCACAF Gold Cup match on July 8, last year.- FILE
NATIONAL STRIKER Luton Shelton is set for another spell on the sidelines after sustaining a hamstring injury on Tuesday night in a game for his Swedish club Helsingborg against Ostersis.
The 20-year old who is on a three-month loan to the club from Harbour View, had only recently returned to action following a thigh injury picked up in his trial period in March. According to Shelton the injury is not serious and he could be back in action in another two weeks and it should not keep him out of the big international friendly against England in early June.
"I know I will be ready to face England and I am looking forward to it," the young striker said.
He said the injury could not have come at a worse time.
"It was my third game of the season and the first one in which I started. I was having a wonderful game, having opened the scoring in the 43rd minute to give my team a 4-0 win," said Shelton, one of the brightest attacking prospects from the country.
Based on information from the team's physiotherapist, Shelton is optimistic about an early return.
"The physio said that I will not be out for very long as the injury does not appear to be very bad. I myself am not sure so I would say about two weeks," said the young man who is a month and a half into the three-month loan.
While the brand of football played in the Scandinavian country is not what he is used to, Shelton said he is growing to like it and would not mind staying there.
"It is winter so the field is not the greatest and they play a lot of long balls. It is not ideal for me but I am getting used to it. On my team there are two Africans and I get on very well with them. One is from Kenya and one is from Rwanda. They are the only two other black guys in the squad and we look out for each other.
"I do not mind it here and I would definitely stay because I am not sure about being signed anywhere else and it is definitely better than staying in Jamaica. According to my agent, (English First Division club) Burnley still wants to sign me but that cannot happen until I qualify with the required number of games.
"Here is not a bad place to be as I would get the chance to be exposed in front of scouts from other big clubs so the opportunity is there," he added.
At this time Shelton is not looking too far down the road.
"From my understanding they like me here and will decide if they want to sign me at the end of the loan period. The feeling I get is good but it depends on how they look at things.
"They could decide that I am injury-prone and not want to take a chance or they may want to invest in my ability and capitalise later," he reasoned.
