Rougier, Hislop in team for Egypt

VETERAN ex-Trinidad and Tobago skipper Anthony Rougier and Portsmouth goalkeeper Shaka Hislop are among 18 players named in a squad for a friendly international against Egypt in Cairo on March 31. Both Hislop and Rougier have confirmed their return to the team and will leave London on March 28 along with the rest of the squad for Cairo. Coach Bertille St Clair selected a squad which includes nine overseas-based players and nine local professionals.

And along with St Clair, the nine local footballers will leave for the match  on March 27. Birmingham City striker Stern John along with Falkirk midfielder Brent Rahim, Livingston defender Marvin “Dog” Andrews, Wrexham trio Carlos Edwards, Hector Sam and Dennis Lawrence and Dundee defender Brent Sancho have all been picked for the match. In-form CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh striker Cornell Glenn, midfielder Angus Eve, goalkeeper Daurance Williams, Kerry Baptiste, Stokely Mason, Derek King, Conrod Smith, Anton Pierre and Kerwyn “Hardest” Jemmot complete the squad. Crewe Alexandra goalkeeper Clayton Ince will miss the match because of a groin strain.

St Clair said: “We are still in the early stages of building the team and it is an opportunity to take a look at some more of our overseas players. “Egypt is supposed to be way ahead of us according to the rankings so it will be a tough match.” The Egyptians are currently ranked 35th by FIFA world rankings. Trinidad and Tobago are 69th. “We have included some young players in the squad to give them experience and to see how they perform on a bigger stage,” St Clair said. Technical director Lincoln Phillips will be travelling with the squad which will be met by FIFA vice-president and Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation special adviser Jack Warner in Cairo.