Warriors blank Saudi offer

This time, national team coach Leo Beenhakker has has had to turn down an offer to participate in the 2006 World Cup in Saudi Arabia with the host team and Korea Republic.

The Dutchman has already outlined his schedule of warm-up matches, having to shift a match against Wales on March 1 after FIFA switched the international dates for friendlies before the tournament.

The mini-tournament takes place in Riyad from January 21 to 25 but Beenhakker has regrettably had to overlook the offer from organisers Skycomm. The package is said to have included lucrative appearance and match-winning fees.

Special Adviser to the TTFF, Jack Warner explained: "We shall not have our full World Cup team of which 17 out of 21 players are playing in clubs in England and other parts of Europe. Were we to accept, we would have to participate with a sub-standard team and this will do nothing for the competition nor for our image."

This follows other matches against Argentina and Ghana having to be overlooked for similar reasons.

But Beenhakker, expected to be in England this weekend, is looking ahead to matches against Wales on March 1, as well as Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia.

The coach is confident that despite not being able to accept the invitations for competitive matches, his team will not be less prepared for the big stage.

"We know the situation as it is and it’s not been any different before. The majority of our players are playing in England and Scotland and its difficult to just come together for a match. But at the same time, we have a period for our preparations before the tournament and we will make the best use of that time," he said.

"Every player knows himself and what he has to do and I can tell you that we will not falter in this way," Beenhakker said.

Both Warner and Beenhakker continue to monitor the offers as they come and are keeping in close contact as they go about ensuring that the right decisions are taken.

Meantime, experienced midfielder Russell Latapy, speaking to the Falkirk FC media department, has given his reasons why he felt the current team was able to cope with the challenge of international football.

He said this could be an advantage for the Warriors ahead of the World Cup Finals next year.

"We always had a chance, despite the distance. A big difference between this squad and that of 1989 is the experience. Back then the majority of the boys were playing locally, and didn’t have much experience of the continental game, or of travelling distance," Latapy said.

"This time, most of the players are in Europe and it’s a big help to us with the players playing at a high level week in week out.

"The big contingent from the UK also helps because we see each other more often and know each other’s game," he said.