National team head coach Wim Rijsbergen faces the possibility of contesting the Digicel Caribbean Cup without the services of midfielder Silvio Spann.
The former Japan-based midfielder rejoined the national team for training earlier this month upon a recall but a reoccurring shoulder problem is back and has forced him out of the last few sessions. According to assistant coach Anton Corneal, it is likely that the player will have to undergo operation and will not be available for selection.
US-based player Joel Bailey also attempted to make a full recovery comeback in training at the Ato Boldon Stadium on Wednesday after damaging his ankle in a scrimmage last week. However, once again he pulled up.
“He (Bailey) tried to make it back out after being cleared by the medics but again he had a problem and had to cut short,” Corneal said. “Spann’s case is unfortunate. He needs to operate on it and time is not on his side because we are less than two weeks away from the start of the competition.”
Corneal conducted the session on Wednesday as Rijsbergen is out of the country until next week. Initially the squad was expected to be named this week but that has now been pushed back until early next month as the team continues to prepare for the January 12 opener against Barbados at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
“The preparation continues and there are certain aspects of it that we are currently undergoing and of course more will happen as the first game approaches. The final squad will be decided as we continue to work with the players available to us. Obviously everyone wants to give their best showing because the squad has to be cut and there will be playing who will be left out.” Corneal told TTFF Media.
There has been an absence of CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh players after the club relayed to Rijsbergen late last week that it needed its players from January 10 for training ahead of the Caribbean Club Championship final round later in the month. That matter is currently being discussed with aim of a resolution in the not too distant future.
Meantime, Haiti arrived in the country on Wednesday to contest Group J of the qualifying phase for the final spot in the Finals.
With Bermuda, Haiti and the Dominican Republic all qualifying as third placed teams in the three second round groups of the Digicel Cup played in November, the winning side will be the eight and final team to qualify
All games will take place at the Hasley Crawford Stadium.
Group H qualifiers The Dominican Republic will be first to play against Haiti at 5pm) on January 5th.
Having impressed in their opening Group D and topping ahead of St Vincent and Grenadines and eliminating Jamaica , Haiti were favorites to qualify automatically to the Digicel finals but in the end had to rely on a last minute equalizer against Suriname in their second round Group I to qualify in third position.
The Dominican Republic will play two days later against Group G qualifiers Bermuda on Sunday January 7th with a 4pm (16.00) kick off.
Both of these sides have met already this tournament in their Group C qualifying game where Bermuda took the honors winning on a 3-1 scoreline.