Cox ruled out Panama match

This means that head coach Leo Beenhakker has included Defence Force’s Anton Pierre as a replacement ahead of the team’s departure on Monday.

Cox, attached to English League One side Gillingham, was named in Beenhakker’s 21-man squad for the back-to-back matches against Panama and Mexico.

But he picked up a knee injury earlier this month which left him out of the "Gills" team for their last three matches.

Constant treatment was expected to have Cox back in action by this weekend but he informed Beenhakker on Tuesday that he would prefer not risk further damage or negative effect on the team for the two vital matches.

While Cox is ruing the injury, his fellow Gillingham teammate, defender Brent Sancho was in celebratory mood on Tuesday after scoring his 86th minute winner over Chesterfield.

"It was a huge goal not just because it was my first for the club but because we worked hard and it came at such a late stage in the match," Sancho said on Tuesday night.

"I was so worked up and the guys knew this so the celebrations were a bit overboard," he joked. "But the main thing is we got the win and the fans loved every moment of it. For me personally it felt good and it’s just the kind of mindset I need going into the two qualifying matches," Sancho said.

"Sadly for Coxy he has been ruled out but hopefully he will fight on and can come back into the squad at a later time," the former Dundee player added. Sancho also spoke to the "Gills" official website about his World Cup ambitions with the Warriors.

"It has been my dream to play for them (Trinidad and Tobago) in a World Cup since I was a boy," he said.

"I was there last time we came close when we lost 1-0 to the USA in 1989. I was a ball-boy at that match.

"It brings back memories that we are so close. Trinidad is a small island, so it will be a phenomenal achievement," he said.

"It is more than achievable and I cannot wait. We have got Panama away and Mexico at home. We need a win and a draw to be in with a chance, but two wins would be great. It is right there, and it is in our hands," Sancho said.

Yesterday, striker Kenwyne Jones was on the pitch for 88 minutes as Southampton drew 0-0 with Reading in Championship Division action. Jones had a header saved by American goalie Marcus Hahnemann in the 32nd minute.

Two minutes later the big striker also shot wide of the mark.

Stern John meanwhile, was taken off in the 50th minute as Derby County went down 3-0 to Leeds United.

Defender Marvin Andrews remained on the bench as Glasgow Rangers lost 1-0 to Inter Milan in Champions’ League action yesterday.