English-based defender Dennis Lawrence says he’s feeling untroubled and comfortable once more following a cheek bone injury which forced him to wear a mask while playing for Crewe Alexandra for the past three weeks.
The Sunderland trio of Dwight Yorke, Kenwyne Jones and Carlos Edwards were scheduled to arrive from London on Monday afternoon while Belgium-based midfielder Khaleem Hyland was also on his way into Port of Spain. View Dennis' interview
Francisco Maturana has drafted in W Connection defender Andrei Pacheco into the squad.
Lawrence had previously missed four matches for Crewe after picking up the injury against Yeovil last month. He had to then wear a protective mask that was made famous by England midfielder Paul Gascoigne after he suffered a similar injury in a World Cup qualifying match against Holland back in 1993.
At this point though, Lawrence said that use of the mask is optional.
“I was able to train but without the physical contact initially and I’ve been back for the last three games and looking to push on now. The use of the mask is optional now. It’s a bit uncomfortable to play with but I’m confident that I can play without it. The mask is not an issue now,” Lawrence told TTFF Media.
Looking ahead to Saturday he added: “We need to understand that our home games are the ones that we have to take full advantage of. It’s not going to be easy by any means especially with the suspensions but this going to be an opportunity for someone else to step in and show they deserve to be in the team.”
Honduras were 4-2 winners at the HC Stadium when the two countries met in a World Cup Qualifier in 2001. But then a Stern John winner crushed Honduras’ World Cup dreams in October of 2001 mere days after the untimely death of striker Mickey Trotman.
“What’s happened in the past is history now. We just have to ensure that we prepare ourselves right for Saturday’s match We have to take full advantage of the home situation. They will be coming here confident so we have to be ready for anything.
“We have got to be as confident as possible from now. There is no point having any doubts in our minds. We have to assert ourselves from early and it’s important that we start well and take control,” Lawrence added.
The team will train again on Tuesday morning at the Larry Gomes Stadium. In related news there will be an official inspection of the Hasely Crawford Stadium by a TTFF contingent as well as Maturana and his staff on Tuesday morning in relation to possible use of the venue for training by the team prior to Saturday’s match.