Kenwyne, Boatswain included

Former captain Kenwyne Jones have been recalled after he was dropped by Tom Saintfiet during his four-game reign as TT coach while fellow striker Jamille Boatswain, who netted a double against Barbados in a friendly international on March 10, was included in the squad.

The squad includes 13 homebased players and 13 overseas- based players all heading to a residential camp tomorrow.

“I think it was important to assess the local group to see what was available,” said Lawrence. “I think the local-based players have responded very well to what we asked of them. We prepared them physically, mentally and tactically we tried as best as possible. We had to try and incorporate the players from abroad so we had to select based on the positions that were needed and required for what I want to do. In the end we put together a group that will give us the best possible chance of getting the result against Panama.” Concerning the selection of the overseas-based players, Lawrence said, “with assessing the overseas based players, one of the things that was important was finding out how much game time they’ve been getting at the moment and their physical condition because obviously the boys that play in the MLS, their season is only two games in.

“We managed,by use of our contacts in the US, to speak to some of the personnel at the clubs and get physical data on the players which helped us a lot because we knew what physical condition they were in coming into our camp. It all then came back down to what I want to do and what I think is best for the team and we made the selection based on that,” Lawrence added.

“The players that worked with me locally had a head start on the players that were abroad because I had more contact time with them and I think a lot of them understand exactly what we are trying to do. which I believe was important. I think in this case it’s going to be the other way around where the local players are going to be the ones leading and I am hoping the players that come from abroad can just come in and it will be easier for them to integrate with the local players and their knowledge of what has been happening in the preparations so far and it should help us to gel together for the game.” Trinidad and Tobago team - Marvin Phillip, Jan Michael Williams, Glenroy Samuel (goalkeepers); Radanfah Abu Bakr, Aubrey David, Curtis Gonzales, Sheldon Bateau, Daneil Cyrus, Mekeil Williams, Tristan Hodge, Carlos Edwards, Alvin Jones (defenders); Andre Boucaud, Joevin Jones, Khaleem Hyland, Kevan George, Hughtun Hector, Hashim Arcia, Kevin Molino, Leston Paul, Levi Garcia, Cordell Cato, Nathan Lewis (midfielders); Kenwyne Jones, Willis Plaza, Jamille Boatswain (strikers).