Striker Carter out TT team ‘til January

IN-FORM striker Kevon Carter will not be available for national football selection until next February due to military training with the Defence Force. The 20-year-old, who scored three goals on his debut for the Trinidad and Tobago Under-23 team against Costa Rica earlier this month, was forced to opt out of the Olympic squad for this weekend’s trip to Guyana as well as second round CONCACAF qualifiers against Grenada on November 15 and 19. This news came as a massive blow to coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier who, at the team’s training session at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo yesterday said the decision was “unfortunate.” “He is one of our in-form strikers and I’m unsure if anything can be done at this stage,” said the soft-spoken coach.

The TT team, who will play two practice matches in Guyana on Friday and Sunday, feature six changes to the team that played Costa Rica on October 8 at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya. San Juan Jabloteh’s striker Devon Mitchell stepped into the breach which was vacated by Carter, defender Errol Charles of Starworld Strikers, who had a torrid time during the match, was replaced by Defence Force’s right-back Cory Rivers while dead-ball specialist, W Connection’s Anton Joseph made way for Kevon Clement of South West Institute of Football (SWIF). Due to a lack of first-team experience, Jabloteh’s goalkeeper Daurance Williams was replaced by Joe Public’s Kevin Graham with fellow “Eastern Lions” teammate, midfielder Sterling O’Brien, coming in for former clubmate Andre Toussaint.

Toussaint, the 2002 TT Pro League MVP, had his contract terminated recently by the Macoya-based club for alleged disciplinary reasons and has been out of action for the past three weeks. Also recalled to the team is North East Stars’ Glenton Wolfe in place of Connection’s Kerron Phillips. The squad is scheduled to leave for the “Mudland” at 7 am tomorrow. Team - Jan-Michael Williams, Kevin Graham (goalkeepers); Ronald Primus, Lyndon Diaz, Julius James, Kevon Clement, Cory Rivers, Nigel Daniel (defenders); Glenton Wolfe, Devon Caseman, Silvio Spann (captain), Shelton Williams, Michael Celestine, Kerry Baptiste, Josh Johnson, Sterling O’Brien (midfielders); Devon Mitchell, Kendall Davis (strikers); Stuart Charles-Fevrier (coach), Ross Russell, Brian Williams (assistant coaches), Peter Rampersad (manager), Ikin Williams (equipment manager), Wayne Lawson (trainer), Anthony Walcott (physio).