Hart picks strong Caribbean Cup squad

Kenwyne Jones will captain the 21-man squad (which will be reduced by one next week, in order to keep within the guidelines set by the Caribbean Football Union) which includes 19 out of the 23 players called up for the recent FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Guatemala and the United States.

Goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams, who recently returned to action for Central FC after a shoulder injury, and centre-back Triston Hodge, who is on a fivemonth- long loan from W Connection to Toronto FC until December 31, have been recalled to the TT squad.

Missing out were Canada- born goalie Greg Ramjitsingh, central defenders Carlyle Mitchell and Yohance Marshall, and central midfielder Hughton Hector.

The other match in the three-team group will take place on October 8, with Dominican Republic hosting Martinique.

And the group winners will advance to the 2017 Caribbean Cup, which will be staged in the United States from July 22-25.

Hart, speaking at a media briefing at the TT Football Association (TT FA) offices at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo yesterday, noted, “it is a very difficult situation that we are going to be in, having to play here at home and then travel to Martinique.

I think this qualification is going to be more difficult than the last time around, because you now have to win the group. Ideally, I would have liked to be in a situation where I could be playing two exhibition games and planning for the hex (CONCACAF Final Round qualifiers).

“Unfortunately, we are once again in a competition - tournament-mode - and there is no room for experimentation.” Concerning the unavailability of English- born midfielder John Bostock, Hart said, “that whole situation is out of my control. I can just wait on FIFA.” It is understood that the England FA has been stalling with regards to Bostock’s application for a switch to represent Trinidad and Tobago.

Mitchell is the only starter from the Guatemala and USA qualifying games who has not been selected this time around. Hart said, “with Carlyle, (his club Seoul E-Land) is in a playoff situation now.

Carlyle’s game will be on (Sunday) and then he would have to fly from (South) Korea. He would have landed the night before (Wednesday’s) game and it did not make sense bringing him in, in my estimation.” TT Squad: Goalkeepers - Jan-Michael Williams, Marvin Phillip, Adrian Foncette.

Defenders - Daneil Cyrus, Mekeil Williams, Aubrey David, Radanfah Abu Bakr, Sheldon Bateau, Tristan Hodge.

Midfielders - Joevin Jones, Khaleem Hyland, Andre Boucaud, Kevan George, Cordell Cato, Levi Garcia, Neveal Hackshaw, Kevin Molino, Jomal Williams.

Strikers - Kenwyne Jones (captain), Trevin Caesar, Shahdon Winchester.