Trinidad and Tobago teenaged midfielder Khaleem Hyland, who was hailed as a prodigy less than a year ago, will receive a further blow to his ego this week when national under-20 coach Zoran Vranes officially hands over his squad list for the CONCACAF World Youth Championship qualifying series.
"He was supposed to train and play with us when possible (last year) but he never did," said Vranes. "So there would be a question about how he will feel (and fit in) when he joins the guys."
Hyland recently debuted for Belgian top-flight club, SV Zulte Waregem, and should be property of England Premier League outfit Portsmouth as soon as he acquires a work permit.
T&T head coach Francisco Maturana tired of Hyland's allegedly frequent absences from training camps and refused to consider him for selection in their 2010 World Cup qualifier against El Salvador last month.
Another talented absentee from the national youth squad is Ma Pau FC playmaker Sherron Joseph who had a promising T&T Pro League debut season last year but, according to Vranes, failed to make the most of a national invitation.
"(Joseph) is a very clever player," said Vranes, with a sigh. "He promised to come many times."
But Vranes is thrilled to have the services of towering striker Jamal Gay, who signed for German second division club Rott-Weiss Oberhausen in January. Gay, who represented the under-20s in the bmobile Super League competition last year, is expected to rejoin the national youth team three days before their opening CONCACAF fixture.
"Jamal is one of our players and is very anxious to come," said Vranes. "He is very important for us."