Soca Warriors News Room.

Hyland blunder costs Jabloteh.
By: Lasana Liburd (Express).

There might be mixed feelings from the Clico San Juan Jabloteh football club when 18-year-old midfielder Khaleem Hyland struts out in Trinidad and Tobago's colours on June 1 to face England in an eagerly anticipated friendly in Port of Spain.

Hyland has already caught the eye of heavyweight British clubs such as defending Scotland Premier League team, Celtic, and England Premier League outfit and 2008 FA Cup finalists, Portsmouth. But it is uncertain how much tangible benefit Jabloteh would receive from Hyland's prospective move after a supposed "administrative error" meant the local Pro League champions failed to secure their most prized asset.

The talented teenager is a free agent, at present, and could move to one of Europe's more affluent clubs without any money heading to his former employer. Jabloteh's failure to re-sign Hyland, which an anonymous source blamed on their "administration" rather than the player, is a sore point with the Bourg Mulattrasse team.

Jabloteh coach and former England international, Terry Fenwick, refused to comment on Hyland's present situation although he did wish him well in his future endeavours. He suggested that Portsmouth was the most likely destination for the young Soca Warrior.

Retired Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper and Football Players Association of Trinidad and Tobago (FPATT) president Shaka Hislop was a key figure in establishing Portsmouth's top flight credentials while Pompey boss Harry Redknapp also coached their compatriot and Sunderland star Kenwyne Jones at Southampton.

"If he plays against England on the first of June and does well," said Fenwick, "it could be bigger and better (things) for him. He is at the right age to go out and Harry Redknapp loves him to death. The England game could throw him right in the spotlight...We knocked the rough edges off him and started the development, which would continue at Portsmouth. We want him to do well and to be a role model for the kids at Jabloteh."

Hyland, a busy and robust holding central midfielder, made his international debut in a 2-2 friendly draw against Puerto Rico on January 26, 2008 and kept his place for outings against Guadeloupe, El Salvador and Jamaica.

There is still hope within Jabloteh's boardroom that compensation could be arranged from either Portsmouth or Hyland's British agent, Steve Davis. In return, Jabloteh are set to offer the first option on future talent to either party.

Although Jabloteh were unable to hold on to their own starlet, they are anxious to unleash poached 2007 Pro League MVP, Marvin Oliver, who is recovering from a pre-season injury. The 32-year-old Oliver, who joined Jabloteh from Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA in the pre-season, played for 30 minutes in their 5-0 win over St Ann's Rangers but is still deemed short of match fitness.

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