Scottish-based defender Marvin Andrews, after a lengthy lay-off from international and club football due to an operation on a troubled cartilage, has been recalled to the national senior team for upcoming 2010 World Cup Qualifiers against Honduras and United States.
Initially, he was invited for Wednesday’s warm-up international against Panama but Andrews is likely to arrive in Port of Spain only prior to the March 28 clash with Honduras which is carded for the Hasely Crawford Stadium. Coach Francisco Maturana announced a preliminary squad of 16 players for Wednesday’s game against Panama which will be played at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella, from 7 pm. Additions to the squad will be announced later in the week. Maturana still has to announce his squad for the back to back World Cup qualifying matches.
Puerto Rico Islanders’ Kendall Jagdeosingh was not considered for Wednesday’s encounter because of Concacaf Champions League commitments with his club. The squad includes Marvin Phillip, Jan Michael Williams, Anthony Wolfe, Makan Hislop, Keyeno Thomas, Andrei Pacheco, Robert Primus, Akeil Guevara, Lester Peltier, Clyde Leon, Trent Noel, Kevaughn Connell, Densill Theobald, Russell Latapy, Errol McFarlane and Cornell Glen.
The players called will commence training on Sunday at the Ato Boldon Stadium. “This is a crucial period for us because it’s the preparation for two important qualifying matches,” Maturana said. “Panama is a good team and they will be eager to do well against us because they are preparing for the Gold Cup and of course that should be a good test for our players,” Maturana added.