TEGUCIGALPA:
THE loss of four starters due to suspensions will not be a major worry for Jamaica's technical staff when they meet to select the team for the next World Cup qualifying match against El Salvador.
In fact they could use the opportunity to test the readiness of a number of players who have either been out due to injuries or those who have been used as substitutes in the past.
Assistant head coach Carl Brown told Jamaican journalists yesterday, following Jamaica's loss to Honduras in Tegucigalpa, that he thought it was good for the suspensions to have come at this time when the team has already qualified for the next round.
Onandi Lowe who was sent off in the 25th minute for butting a Honduran player in retaliation for a foul along with sweeper Shavar Thomas, left wing back Stephen Malcolm and midfielder Andy Williams who were shown yellow cards will all miss the November 15 game in El Salvador.
Coach Brown said that this was an ideal situation where a number of other players could be used. He mentioned England-based Deon Burton, Ricardo Gardener and Darryl Powell along with local based Irvino English as well as Claude Davis and Jermaine Johnson as likely replacements.
The inclusion of Powell and Gardener, he said, would depend on their level of fitness as they are both just getting back to playing for their respective clubs after injury lay-offs.
"We are not worried (about losing these players)," he said. "This will offer chances for others to come in and show what they can do. There are a number of options in the sweeper position as Chris Dawes has had experience at this level in the position and could be pulled back from the midfield."
The coaching staff, Brown said, has also been experimenting with Claude Davis in this position as well. If Dawes is used then Powell if available could come in and play in the midfield, as could Johnson who has been used extensively as a substitute in the midfield. He added that with El Salvador already out of contention for a place in the final round they could also be using the game to expose some of their younger players and the emphasis will not be too much on winning.
By Paul A. Reid
Staff Reporter
