St Clair calls English-born footballer

NATIONAL football coach Bertille St Clair has called up 19-year-old English-born midfielder Andre Boucaud to the Trinidad and Tobago squad for the friendly internationals against Iraq and Scotland later this month. The talented former Reading player was originally expected to join the team at the National Training Centre, Lilleshall, England, for a camp there, but has now been officially included in the 22-man squad for the two games. He comes in as a replacement for striker Nigel Pierre who sustained an ankle injury and has been advised by Dr Terrence Babwah to sit out the tour.  Boucaud is currently on the wanted list of  Peterborough and also appeared in reserve action for Luton Town.

Also included in  the team is Falkirk midfielder Brent Rahim who replaces Anthony Rougier, who  is unavailable for the match against Iraq on May 23 at West Brom Stadium, as his club Bristol City are into the First Division playoffs. He is likely to rejoin the team for the match against Scotland at Easter Road on May 30. But Dundee United striker Jason Scotland declared himself unavailable for the two international matches. East of Scotland champions Spartans will host TT in a training match at City Park on May 29.

Local players will leave here on Tuesday, but not before St Clair conducts  a final training session at the Hasely Crawford Stadium from 8:30 am today. Following the UK tour, the team will return home for a friendly against Northern Ireland at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet, Tobago, on June 6. Trinidad and Tobago are scheuled to play their first CONCACAF zone World Cup qualifying  tie against Dominican Republic on June 13.  The return leg is set for the Hasely Crawford Stadium on June 20.