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Fri, Mar

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Dwight YorkeThe on-field appearance of Trinidad and Tobago football captain Dwight Yorke is up in the air for next week's crucial home World Cup qualifier against El Salvador at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

 

"Soca Warriors" manager David Mohammed yesterday said it is still unclear what role Yorke would play but confirmed the former Sunderland midfielder would be in T&T for the match.

"We're expecting Dwight Yorke to be with us for the game coming up. We're expecting his presence, in what capacity, I can't say," Mohammed told the media yesterday during a training session for the senior national team at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. The T&T senior men then faced the T&T Under-20 squad in a practice match.

"[Yorke] is part of the team, regardless whether he is playing or not," Mohammed also said of the veteran player.

Also expected to join the T&T squad are British duo Bobby Zamora and J Lloyd Samuel, who play for Fulham FC and Bolton Wanderers respectively.

Zamora is of T&T descent but was born in England, while Samuel was born in T&T. Mohammed revealed that Zamora got his T&T passport renewed yesterday, and Samuel should receive his today. Both players will join the team in T&T by Monday along with other foreign-based players, when the 18-man squad to face El Salvador on Wednesday is expected to be named.

Mohammed also says his team is being positive despite their precarious position at the bottom of the CONCACAF qualifying group. T&T need a win against El Salvador to stay in contention for a World Cup spot.

"The (team's) mindset is positive, highly motivated, (and) looking forward to the challenge as we all are. A win against El Salvador will put us (level) with them on points. After that, going to Honduras could put us in fourth place, (if we get) a favourable result over there."

He feels there is no need to write off the "Soca Warriors" at this stage.

"It's no reason for anyone to be pessimistic about what the possible outcomes could be. We are optimistic and hopeful, and we are looking forward to the game."

Yesterday, T&T were initially denied access to the Stadium for their training session, with the ground still undergoing repairs from the Pan American Junior Championships at the Mucurapo venue on the weekend.

However, a conversation with Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Gary Hunt was enough to sort out that issue.

"It's good enough for what we're using it for right now. Obviously a lot of work still needs to be done. There is ample time to do that. There is a full week,' Mohammed said.