Dwarika, Cox recalled for ‘friendly’ matches

TRINIDAD and Tobago football coach Bertille St Clair yesterday named a 22-man squad for the upcoming “friendly” matches against Scotland and Iraq in the United Kingdom. St Clair has decided to include eleven overseas-based professionals to compliment the squad which has 11 local players. Included in the squad is Chinese-based midfielder Arnold Dwarika who is attached to Beijing Guoan, as well as Crewe Alexandra goalkeeper Clayton Ince who is now back from injury.  English-born defender Ian Cox who was a member of the team during the 2002 World Cup qualifying campaign is also back in the team.

The rest of the overseas-based quota includes Stern John (Birmingham City), Shaka Hislop (Portsmouth), Anthony Rougier (Bristol City), Carlos Edwards and Dennis Lawrence  (Wrexham), Cornell Glenn (New York/New Jersey Metrostars), Marvin Andrews (Livingston) and Brent Sancho of Dundee FC. Also earning a pick on the squad is Arima/Morvant Fire midfielder Denzil Theobald who has impressed in training under St Clair and has also been enjoying an impressive spell for his club. There is also room for Jerren Nixon of North East Stars; Kenwyne Jones who recent signed a deal with English club Southampton; and defender Marlon Rojas, recently on trial with MLS club DC United.

The Tobago-born coach said he expects that the squad selected will prove worthwhile opposition for Scotland who have named a strong squad for the May 30 friendly at Easter Road, Edinburgh. “When we get to England there are a few more players I will be taking a look at. There are also some who are nursing injuries at this time. This is a very important and useful camp for the team and we want to give everyone a fair chance,” St Clair said yesterday. “I think it is a balanced team in terms of experience and youth and it is a squad that can give a good account in these two matches,” he added. Training continues at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar from  4 pm on Tuesday. The squad leaves for England on May 18 and will engage in a training camp at the National Training Centre in Lilleshall. The match against Iraq is carded for May 23 at the West Bromwich Stadium.

Squad for UK camp: Shaka Hislop (Portsmouth), Stern John (Birmingham City), Carlos  Edwards (Wrexham), Clayton Ince (Crewe Alexandra) Anthony Rougier (Bristol City), Ian Cox (Gillingham),Marvin Andrews (Livingston), Dennis Lawrence (Wrexham), Arnold Dwarika (Beijing Guoan) Brent Sancho (Dundee), Cornell Glenn (NY/New Jersey Metrostars), Angus Eve (CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh), Marlon Rojas, Denzil Theobald (Arima/Morvant Fire), Kerwyn Jemmot (CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh), Kerry Baptiste (CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh), Jerren Nixon (North East Stars), Derek King (Joe Public), Kenwyne Jones, Stokely Mason (Vibe CT105 W Connection), Duarance Williams (CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh), Nigel Pierre (CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh).