DESPITE MOUNTING defensive injuries, Reggae Boyz technical Director Carl Brown has ruled out back line duties for Bolton Wanderers midfielder Ricardo Gardner.
Shortly after setting up camp in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the Reggae Boyz were hit with two injuries in as many days with Tyrone Marshall and Ian Goodison bowing out of tomorrow's World Cup qualifying opening game against Haiti at the Orange Bowl in Miami.
Marshall is out nursing a recurring knee injury whereas Goodison had a serious hamstring muscle strain during practice Wednesday.
Brown yesterday said Gardner would assist in "taking the fight to the Haitains", playing in his usual wide left position in midfield.
Brown went on to say the defenders he had in stock would have to step up.
"Players we have will have to fit in," he said, naming Damion Stewart and Claude Davis.
With Goodison and Marshall out, the defensive unit has been reduced to six players, Fabian Davis, Claude Davis, Stewart, Garfield Reid and Craig Ziadie, who is said to be nursing his quad muscles.
In addition, the Boyz also have attacking woes with midfielder Theodore Whitmore and striker Ricardo Fuller both watching injuries.
