Sidebar

28
Thu, Mar

Typography
Trinidad and Tobago’s Australian-based professional Dwight Yorke is scheduled to arrive in the country on Friday evening to link up with new head coach Leo Beenhakker for the first time ahead of the June 4 World Cup qualifier against Panama at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.


Yorke, recently signed by Sydney FC, has been in contact with team manager Bruce Aanensen and has decided to return ahead of the weekend and will join the team in its next live- in  training camp starting with a session at the Larry Gomes Stadium on Monday.

Beenhakker is set to have a fair amount of the overseas pros he invited for training for next week’s camp with Scottish-based midfielder Brent Rahim and American-based foursome Leslie Fitzpatrick, Avery John, Marlon Rojas and Cornell Glen coming in on Sunday.  Wrexham’s Hector Sam, Carlos Edwards and Dennis Lawrence along with Kenwyne Jones will arrive on Monday. Scottish-based defenders Marvin Andrews and Brent Sancho as well as Kelvin Jack will not be here until May 23 due to club commitments while Stern John is yet to confirm his arrival date. Dundee United duo Collin Samuel and Jason Scotland are not available until May 29 because of their Scottish Cup final date with Celtic.  Already here is goalkeeper Clayton Ince while David Nakhid and English-born midfielder Chris Birchall also arrived earlier this week.

Japan-based midfielder Silvio Spann will not be coming for the training camp as Yokohoma FC officials have turned down a request for his release and Beenhakker will now decide as the matchday gets closer whether he in fact needs the player.

T&T is scheduled to play top Peru club Alianza Lima on May 18 and the El Salvador National Senior Team on May 25.

Meantime, Ince is looking ahead to the upcoming challenges with renewed optimism after his solid performance in the 0-0 draw with Costa Rica and another outstanding performance  in a 2-1 win over Coventry City which kept them in the Championship League and led to him being offered a new contract by the club this week.

He arrived home on Tuesday and is likely to be the man between the uprights especially with Shaka Hislop ruled out due to personal reasons regarding his professional career.

“It’s good to come back a few days before and get in some much needed time ahead of the games,” Ince told TTFF Media. “For most of the previous qualifiers we’re accustomed coming in just five days before but with our seasons being over, despite the fact that it’s been long and tiresome, I think a couple days rest for us at home and then on to the training pitch with the new coach is something we are all looking forward to. It’s a bit disappointing that Shaka won’t be here but at the same time I am always ready for whatever challenge comes my way and I believe we will be ready for when the big games come around against Panama and Mexico.”

Birchall, who came in on the same flight as Ince and Nakhid, seemed thrilled on arriving here for the first time but added that while just coming off a season with Port Vale, his mind is still  focused on the game.

“I must say I’m very glad to be here because it’s my first time on the island but I know it’s serious business.  I’m really keen to get on with the training here but maybe a bit cautious too because it’s my first time with a national team. I’ve met up with a couple of the other guys in England and hopefully I can be part of something happen good here with the team once I’m selected,” said the 20-year-old.