St Clair tunes up footballers in Tobago

A Trinidad and Tobago training team will oppose a Tobago XI in a practice match at the Dwight Yorke Stadium from 6 pm today at the Dwight Yorke Stadum, Bacelot. Coach Bertille St Clair has been carrying on a training camp in the sister-isle since Monday and has been using the days to tune up the senior players. And he is also hoping to have a look at the talent available in Tobago. The team has been training at the Dwight Yorke Stadium and have also been doing light sessions on the beach, just outside of Scarborough.

“We have had some very useful sessions across here and the guys have responded well to the camp. They know very well that we must treat every session seriously and as0 such I think all the guys have stuck to the task,” St Clair said. “We have concentrated on our movement of the ball and other tactical plays while also ensuring that attention is paid to the physical readiness of the players,” the Tobagonian said yesterday. “Right now the players we have based overseas are all coming to the end of hectic seasons and we have to ensure that the players we have here are in proper shape for when the entire team comes together,” he said.

“We have a slate of matches coming up and our goal is to have the team ready for the World Cup qualifiers,” St Clair added. Arima Morvant Fire striker Conrod Smith was excused from the camp as he signed a contract with American A-League side Montreal Impact this week and is currently getting ready for his new deal. St Clair also commented on Kenwyne Jones signing for English Premiership side Southampton. “I think this is a wonderful move for the young player. I am sure once he keeps a level head and his feet on the ground, he will be successful there and the same can follow for other players from this country,” he said.

“From the few sessions he had with the national team, I recognised his potential, his strong work ethics and his good attitude which are the main requirements of a good professional player,” Clair said. Meantime, TT’s trio of Derek King, Jerren Nixon and Angus Eve have been selected on a Caribbean Star team to oppose Morocco in the Digicel friendly in Grenada on Sunday as part of the CONCACAF Congress. 

TT squad in Tobago:  Mikhel Peters, Daurance Williams, Hayden Fitzwilliam, Jerren Nixon, Marlon Rojas, Travis Mulrane, Stokely Mason, Derek King, Denzil Theobald, Kerwyn Jemmot, Larry McDonald, Kerry Baptiste, Nigel Pierre, Lyndon Andrews, Anton Pierre, Angus Eve and  Atiba Charles.