TTFF News - T&T and Bajans get ready to unveil Digicel Cup team

T&T and Barbados get ready to unveil teams for Digicel Cup

 

Issued by Shaun Fuentes, TTFF Media Officer, January 2, 2007

 

As this country’s national footballers resumed preparations on the second day of 2007 for the upcoming Digicel Caribbean Cup, their first match opponents Barbados were left hoping that two of their key players can recover from injuries in time for the January 12 opener at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

 

Barbados’ first choice goalkeeper Alvin Rouse inspirational defender Rommelle Brathwaite are fighting to be fit for the team’s departure for a schedule training camp in Tobago on the weekend.

 

Rouse has a shoulder complaint, has flared up again while Brathwaite pulled up in training with a thigh problem

 

Barbados were due to announce the team on Monday  but the Associaiton is waiting on the injury update before unveiling the 18 players for the finals

Technical Director Keith Griffith expressed concern, saying “"This is a crisis.We have a bit of a worry... actually we have a huge worry. We need these two players to be fit. Rommelle is '50/50' and Rouse is struggling. We are praying.”

 

Meantime, in the T&T camp, US-based player Joel Bailey is trying his best to hold off an ankle problem and trained with the rest of the squad at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva on Tuesday. But promising striker Kevon Carter complained of a groin problem. The rest of the squad,minus the CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh players remained intact and injury free. Of course, midfielder Silvio Spann has already been ruled out with a shoulder problem.

 

“One of the positives so far is that all the players have turned out for the sessions and have been giving their all,” Assistant coach Anton Corneal told TTFF Media.  We have seen good commitment from players who want to be part of a Trinidad and Tobago team and it goes well in relation to commitment for country..”

 

He added that the US-based players like Abiola Clarence, Osei Telesford, Anthony Noreiga, Darryl Roberts and others have meshed well with the home-based players.

 

“They have meshed well so far but it will all come down to which players are most ready in terms of positions and compatibility. We have some experience on the team with the likes of Densill Theobald, Scott Sealy, Gary Glasgow and a couple more so we are not totally green. Hopefully we can get it right together in time for the tournament,” Corneal added.

 

The T&T team will train again at Couva on Thursday and a final squad is expected to be named and move into camp on January 6.

 

Meantime, some of the T&T players are expected to join Digicel in promoting the tournament at the Gulf City mall on Wednesday from 4pm. They will also visit the St Dominic’s Children’s Home, Belmont on Thursday.