English-based striker Dwight Yorke was among the list of the Trinidad and Tobago footballers checking in at the Sunrise Boulevard Hilton Hotel in Ft Lauderdale, Miami on Sunday afternoon for the start of a four-day training camp ahead of Saturday’s 2006 World Cup qualifier against Guatemala.
The contingent of locally-based pros along with head coach Bertille St Clair and other members of the staff arrived in Miami at midday and the UK-based pros arrived a couple hours later with Yorke, Stern John, Brent Sancho, Shaka Hislop and Kenwyne Jones settling in. Scheduled to arrive later that evening were Clayton Ince and Carlos Edwards as well as Silvio Spann. Nigel Henry and Marlon Rojas will join the team on Monday along with Cornell Glen. The home-based pros in Miami at the moment are Angus Eve, Keyeno Thomas, Nigel Pierre, Leslie Fitzpatrick, Anton Pierre and Atiba Charles.
But there was some worrying news as defender Marvin Andrews failed a late fitness test before Glasgow Rangers win over Motherwell on Sunday and is now doubtful for the Guatemala match while Gillingham defender Ian Cox has suffered a hamstring injury which may force St Clair to make two other calls.
The luxurious hotel is also equipped with top of the line fitness facilities with the T&T players having all access to a fully equipped fitness centre and there are two playing fields within the hotel area.
“Things are in place for a good build up before we leave for Guatemala because the facilities here are very impressive. I expect that the guys will settle in and get down to business this week because come Saturday we have everything to play for against the Guatemalans,” St Clair told TTFF Media.
Following the cancellation of the friendly against Honduras, The “Warriors” have opted to play American A-League side Atlanta Silverbacks in a closed door training match on Tuesday at the Hotel Ground.