Soca Warriors News Room

Soca Warriors News Room.

18-Apr-2008

Carlos Wants to Feel the T&T Sunshine.
By: Shaun Fuentes (TTFF).

Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Carlos Edwards is sending a little warning to his English counterparts to expect anything but a walk in the park when they face this country in the June 1 Centennial international match in Port of Spain.

Edwards, now fully recovered from a broken leg injury, is expected in Trinidad in mid-May following Sunderland’s end of season fixture against Arsenal and he’s already banking on impressing Francisco Maturana.

Edwards said he is well aware that he will not walk straight back into the starting team but he’s prepared to go the distance in order to regain his starting position for the “Soca Warriors”.

“I’m just waiting patiently before I can board that plane and come home again,” Edwards told TTFF Media on Wednesday.

“Of course I can’t wait to feel some sun again but more than that I miss wearing the National shirt. I know I’m not going to just walk straight back into the team because I’ve heard good things about the team in the last two games but I love playing for the country and I’m going to go all out and get my place back. I think we are heading in the right direction and I want to be part of the coach’s plans,” Edwards added.

He hinted that Bermuda should be warned that T&T will not underestimate them.

“We’ve played them a couple times before but this is World Cup qualification … it’s a different ball game and we have to demonstrate this on the pitch. We have a series of games around that time so I think the team should be in good shape and Bermuda will have to be on top of their game if they intend to challenge us.”

The former Wrexham and Defence Force man is also in favour of the statements by England head coach Fabio Capello that England players will not be let off easily for the encounter on June 1.

“I’m glad because it means they will be coming with a good team. The boys here are already talking about the game and people remember our game against England at the last Word Cup. I think it’s a good opportunity for us to face them again and I’m pretty sure the match will be a great one. It’s going to be a brilliant day for our football and for the fans and of course it will be a good match for us as preparation as well,” Edwards added.

He also touched on the recent decision by the TTFF not to impose the ban on Kenwyne Jones and himself from playing in a Premiership encounter against West Ham the weekend after they were expected to appear for T&T in a friendly against Jamaica.

“I think it worked our well and this will do a lot for the relationship between the two organizations. I think the TTFF handled it well in the end because we were allowed to play and help Sunderland and the time will come for us to help the national team as well. I think this move definitely will be a plus for the future relationship between Sunderland and the TTFF especially for the qualifiers,” Edwards said.

Roy keen on Carlos.
By Nick Alexander (safc.com).

Roy Keane reckons Carlos Edwards is due a big performance - and he hopes it comes on Sunday. Edwards, Sunderland's speedy winger, is yet to reach top form after returning from a broken leg last month.

The former Luton man's season has been wrecked by injuries - he has played just 10 games for the Wearsiders since they won promotion.

But Keane feels Edwards is about ready to hit top gear and for Sunderland there would be no better time for it to happen than in the Tyne-Wear derby.

"We feel there's a performance from Carlos just around the corner," said Keane.

"Carlos has had a stop-start season but he can be a big player for us if he's on song, he brings something different to the side."

Keane says Sunderland must play to Edwards' strengths. He explained "There have been too many games when we've just shoved the ball out to him and said 'get on with it'. We need to help him out and get the best from him.

"We've to make sure he sees enough of the ball and we have to make sure that, when he does get it, he's not doing so in a bad position.

"There have been times when he's had to receive the ball with three opposition players around him and that's no good for him or us.

"But provided we give him the service and he sees enough of the ball, there's potentially a top game from him around the corner. Hopefully, we'll see that sooner rather than later."

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