By Nodley Wright, Staff Reporter
Keith Kelly
THE FORMATION used by the Reggae Boyz against Costa Rica on Sunday, their final 2002 World Cup qualifying match, depends on the fitness of 18-year-old Keith Kelly.
Co-technical director Carl Brown said he wants to play a similar 4-3-3 formation to the one his team used against the United States last month.
Speaking with the media at the end of the team's work out at the Red Stripe Oval, Brown said his formation would be the same but added that a slight adjustment could be made.
"Kelly is probably the person now who will influence what we play," Brown said. "If he is fit, we will probably play him just behind the two up front and keep (Winston) Griffiths in midfield. As soon as we get an assessment of his injury we will know," said Brown.
The 18-year-old Paris Saint-Germain midfielder arrived in the island on Monday and trained with the team yesterday and it was noticed he was nursing his left ankle.
"I twisted my ankle in the first league match when I went back (to France) in August. It was about the final 15 minutes and I got a tackle from behind. The player caught my foot and I turned my foot at the same time," said the former Harbour View player who said he was out of action for two months.
Kelly, who is now being used as a central midfielder for the PSG reserve team, said he returned to training two weeks ago and has since played three matches, two league and one friendly. His level of fitness, he said, was fairly good.
"I would not say it is the best right now. I am feeling a little pain because of the change of climate. It was cold up there and now I am in the sun. Also the field is harder here so it is kind of difficult for me.
"I do not think I will be able to play for 90 minutes but the minutes that I get I will do my best. I will go out there to do my best. Even if I am feeling pain I will go out there and give 100 per cent," said the former Hydel and Wolmer's player.
If he is gets to make his first official match for Jamaica, Kelly said he will be ready.
"With the ability that I have and the motivation that I get from other players both yard-based and overseas-based, I think that I should be ready."
At yesterday's training all but two of the 21 players named in the squad were present. Absent were Jermaine Hue and Shavar Thomas. Hue will return from the Cayman Islands today where he was doing promotions for games involving Harbour View. University of Connecticut student Thomas will arrive today as well.
