Johnson expresses desire for Reggae Boyz recall

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

Jamaican midfielder Jermaine 'Teddy' Johnson has been in the international football wilderness for over two years and though presently sidelined by injury, the playmaker remains hopeful that he will play a role in Jamaica's upcoming World Cup qualifying campaign.

Johnson, who suffered a knee injury several weeks ago, is expected to be out of action for up to eight weeks, with a seven-centimetre ligament tear putting a brake on his Sheffield Wednesday season.

However, Johnson, who still follows the national programme closely, is hoping to make his first Reggae Boyz appearance since the 2009 Gold Cup and is certain he still has a role to play in the current Jamaica setup.

High hopes

"My message is that I am fully interested in the programme and I am hoping to play a part. As I am called, I will be available right away," said the mercurial and controversial 31-year-old.

"I always want to play for my country, I hope and pray every-day that I will get another call up," he added. "I am just waiting to hear from the coach to see what is happening."

Johnson, who has scored six goals in close to 50 international appearances for the Reggae Boyz, said he has not spoken to national head coach Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore about his continued omission from the squad, but is hoping for some dialogue in the near future.

"To be honest, I have not heard from the JFF, but I am just concentrating on playing some football and keeping positive," said Johnson, who was a spectator at the Red Stripe Premier League football match between his former team, Tivoli Gardens, and Portmore United at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex yesterday.

Johnson is scheduled to leave the island today and will immediately commence his rehabilitation work at Sheffield Wednesday.

With his contract scheduled to run out at the end of the season, the former Bolton Wanderers midfielder is also expecting to renew his deal with the English League One outfit.

"They (Sheffield Wednesday) will be offering me a new contract, but I am just looking and waiting to see what will happen next and what is best," he noted. "To be honest, the fans love me there and they want me to sign back for the club, but it's up to the club's chairman; they just sacked the manager, there is a new manager so we'll see how it works out too."