English-born Watford Centre half Dale Bennett is still eager to play for this country after expressing interest prior to its exit from the 2014 World Cup campaign last November.
Bennett was among the players ex-head coach Otto Pfister planned on visiting in England in December but T&T’s loss to Guyana put an end to Bennett’s 2014 World Cup qualifying aspirations.
But the 22-year-old whose grandmother is Trinidadian is pursuing a T&T passport and is making himself available for national team selection. Bennett captained Watford’s Under 18s before signing a professional contract in 2008.
He made his debut as a 71st minute substitute in a 1-0 win over West Ham in the League Cup that year. He has been on loan at Kettering Town and Brentford but is now back at Watford and is their squad for their Championship League fixtures having signed through to 2013. He has 22 appearances for Watford.
Meantime, another English-born player Rhys Paul has expressed interest in joining the T&T Under 20 team. Paul had been attached to Millwall but is considering options for a new club at the moment.
Paul’s father is Trinidadian. He expressed interest in joining the T&T team back in 2010 but was not looked at by then national coaches.
Current Under 20 coach Michael McComie has already made contact with Paul who is hoping to try out for the current Under 20 team prior to its upcoming Caribbean zone U-20 World Cup qualifiers.