Shaka Hislop to sit out back to back qualifiers.
By: Shaun Fuentes[/size]
Due to the uncertainty of his professional career status, English-based goalkeeper Shaka Hislop has asked to be excused from this country’s next two World Cup qualifying matches against Panama and Mexico on June 4 and 8.
Hislop, in speaking to Team Manager Bruce Aanensen, indicated that he was not in a proper mental frame of mind after learning on Friday that he would not be offered a new contract by Portsmouth FC. As a result, he has been left to try and secure a deal elsewhere and the next three weeks could decide whether he signs a new deal or retires from the game. His request for leave has been granted by head coach Leo Beenhakker.
“It’s disappointing for me at the moment,” Hislop told TTFF Media on Tuesday. “As it is, I was told on Friday that I would not be offered a new contract and it was a bit of a blow because I was still quietly hopeful that they would have offered me something especially as I was not looking at other options which now means that I have a short period to try and sort my professional career out.”
The former Newcastle and West Ham United standout said he felt it was best to avoid the risk of putting on the National strip when his mind may not be fully up to it.
“It’s a difficult time to commit to the country because mentally I am not in the right frame of mind and to be fair to myself and to everyone else, I thought it would be wise for me to take a back seat at this particular time.
“My future is uncertain. I have a family to look after as well and if I don’t find something soon then retirement could be a distinct possibility which would most likely mean having to put the gloves away totally.”
With the “Warriors” going all out in search of three points against Panama and then facing a tough away assignment to Mexico, Hislop said he would be an uneasy man in his England home on those matchdays.
“These games are extremely vital for us and I’m disappointed even further to not be involved in some capacity. It’s a crucial week to our expected progress and in fairness again to the guys and the fans, it would be better to have someone else in place of me,” Hislop added.
T&T’s other English-based goalie Clayton Ince was scheduled to arrive home on Tuesday with English-born recruit Chris Birchall while Scottish-based custodian Kelvin Jack is the other overseas-pro goalie coming to join the team. Jack played his first game on Tuesday since recovering from a thigh strain as Dundee Reserves lost 2-1 to Aberdeen. Currently Duarance Williams and Thorne Holder are the home-based ‘keepers.
Beenhakker will also have a chance to work with four of T&T’s United States-based pros as Real Salt Lake duo Leslie Fizpatrick and Marlon Rojas, New England Revolution’s Avery John and Columbus Crew’s Cornell Glen will arrive here on May 15 and will return to their clubs on May 19 as they all have League fixtures the weekend after.
