Trinidad and Tobago Senior Men will continue preparations this week ahead of Friday’s international friendly with Barbados at the Ato Boldon Stadium at 7pm.
The team has been training daily at the Larry Gomes Stadium with a 26-member squad involved in the sessions. The staff meantime will be joined by Englishman Sol Campbell later this week with his arrival scheduled for Thursday.
One of the players in training is former Sunderland midfielder Carlos Edwards, a member of the 2006 World Cup squad currently attached to Ma Pau Stars in the T&T Pro League.
Edwards joined the training camp last week.
“I think in every game we play, our approach has to be serious and with a no nonsense approach, regardless of whether it is a qualifier or a friendly,” Edwards told TTFA Media after training on Monday.
“We haven’t played Barbados for quite a while now and no one knows exactly what kind of test they will bring but I have no doubt they will give us a fairly decent challenge and offer us what we are looking for from this game.
“It’s like a dress rehearsal for the World Cup qualifiers in spite of the fact that not all the players meaning those from overseas are available. But I know the local bunch of players are all focused and excited to show the new manager what they are capable of in a game situation. It’s an exciting challenge for everyone,” Edwards added.
The former Wrexham man says he is looking forward to pressing for selection in Dennis Lawrence’s squad for the two World Cup qualifiers with Panama on March 24th and Mexico on March 28th at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
“I have expressed my feelings about being back in the national set up since the Christmas period and I feel very much the same about it which is honoured and excited. I am just looking forward to the games coming up. It will be very good to jump in and have Dennis getting a bit of selection headache for the World Cup qualifiers coming up and obviously playing my part in helping the team,” Edwards stated.
Edwards also spoke on the inclusion of Sol Campbell to the coaching staff.
“He will bring authority and professionalism. When you hear the name and what he has brought to the game and achieved in it, it speaks volumes. Sol coming on board with Dennis, Stern and Stuart Charles (Fevrier) will add to a formidable staff. The players will benefit from being around him and the rest of the staff. The players will get to ask questions and rub shoulders with men who will bring value to the whole set up,” Edwards added.
Tickets for Friday’s International Friendly will be on sale at the game venue on Friday priced at $50 (Adults) and $20 (children). Kick off is 7pm.