Yorke back in Warrior colours

The 36-year-old Yorke, who captained the Warriors at two FIFA World Cups - the 1991 World Under-20 Championships in Portugal and the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, was always eager to play in today’s game but his name was not included in the 18-member team issued by coach Francisco Maturana on Thursday.

The Colombian-born tactician was reported to have stated he was looking towards grooming a team for the forthcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and he did not see the logic in having Yorke play in today’s match. But, on Friday, it was revealed that Yorke will indeed play against the English Lions after all, even though it will be as a substitute.

After yesterday’s training session at the Mucurapo venue, Yorke affirmed, “I want to let the people know that this is just only for an appearance.”

Yorke, who ‘hung up his boots’ for the second time on March 7, 2007, continued, “I’m not coming back because I’ve retired.

“It’s just because it’s the Centenary Year for us and FIFA vice-president Jack Austin Warner asked me to play in it. So, that was it.”

Yorke, who joined English Premiership club Sunderland in August 2006 on a two-year deal, is yet to decide on his footballing future.

“I’m on holiday time at the moment and I just got to enjoy (it) and take it from there,” he said.

“In a month’s time, I’ll make a decision whether I’ll be playing football again or probably even contemplating retirement altogether.”

He is willing to pass on the knowledge he gathered from his career, which has spanned nearly two decades, to the young TT players. “I’ll like to put something back,” he said. “Football is all I’ve known, what I’ve always done.

“I’ve achieved a great deal in my life as a footballer,” Yorke added. “I just want to make sure that (I) can put something back in a big way.”

Maturana, in a brief media conference yesterday, announced that Yorke will not be among the starting eleven for the 5.30 pm kick-off.

He pointed out that captain Aurtis Whitley will be joined by Carlos Edwards, Keon Daniel and Khaleem Hyland in the midfield while Stern John and Kenwyne Jones will be the strike pair.

Clayton Ince will start in goal with Dennis Lawrence, Makan Hislop, Kern Cupid and Ancil Farrier as the back-four.

Concerning Yorke’s addition to the squad, Maturana, via his translator Fillipo Arallio, said, “I still have to talk to him with regards to his role.

“I think that it is an excellent opportunity for the people of Trinidad and Tobago to have a last chance to thank him for the incredible role he has played and all the beautiful things that he gave to his country,” added Maturana.

With regards to the players, who were in an eight-day training camp, Maturana said, “I hope that the team responds well to the tactical instructions that I (issue).”

Trinidad and Tobago’s lone meeting against England ended in a 2-0 victory for the English, with strikes from Peter Crouch and Steven Gerrard, at the 2006 World Cup.

Maturana dispelled the notion that the national team will be focussing intensively on revenge.

“I do not believe in revenge or grudge matches,” said Maturana. “I believe each game is taken in its own context.”

SQUADS: TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – Aurtis Whitley (capt), Clayton Ince (goalkeeper), Makan Hislop, Kern Cupid, Dennis Lawrence, Ancil Farrier; Keon Daniel, Khaleem Hyland, Carlos Edwards; Stern John, Kenwyne Jones.

ENGLAND (from) – David Beckham (capt), David James, Joe Hart, Joe Lewis, Wayne Bridge, Rio Ferdinand, Phil Jagielka, Glen Johnson, Stephen Warnock, David Wheater, Jonathan Woodgate, Gareth Barry, David Bentley, Stewart Downing, Steven Gerrard, Tom Huddlestone, Ashley Young, Theo Walcott, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Dean Ashton, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe.