Cummings, Cyrus recalled by Lawrence

The 27-man training team, is entirely local based, as Lawrence explained that the foreign based players will only be available days before the next World Cup qualifier vs Panama. The training team will have their first session on Monday.

TT are preparing for Russia 2018 qualifiers vs Panama on March 24 and Mexico on March 28.

Midfielder Cummings has been out of the national setup for more than a year after being shot in his leg in December 2015. Cummings, who plays for Central FC in the Digicel Pro League, has gradually played himself back into contention.

“It is a nice feeling to know you could still get called back in the campaign in which you were performing in,” Cummings said, “It’s an honour always to come back and play for the national team, and I just want to come back and prove to the country and get the results that we need. It’s a nice feeling right now, today is my Valentine’s.” Cummings said regaining his fitness was not an easy task. “It is the first time I ever had an injury (like that) to deal with, I had to come back and prove that I could play football the same way. It was real hard but the hard (work) paid off.” The Central FC player thanked his family, girlfriend, well wishers and even strangers, who prayed for him while he was recovering from the gunshot wound.

Cyrus is equally thrilled to be back following a bust-up with former coach Tom Saintfiet who accused him and Jomal Williams of turning up to national training camp smelling of alcohol. The Belgian later clarified that he had not specifically said it was Cyrus that reeked of alcohol. Cyrus has vehemently denied the accusation.

“I feel happy and delighted to get called back on the national team. I know I would get call back, so I am happy for the opportunity to represent my country again,” he said.

Concerning the allegation of alcohol use, Cyrus said, “As a player who knows that he does not drink and smell of alcohol, that kind of break me down emotionally. It was not something that was on my mind, because whatever is in the dark must come to light and most people who know me know that I don’t drink.” Lawrence, speaking to the media yesterday, said he is interested in seeing what Cummings can offer.

“Keron plays in a position on the football pitch that I was interested in finding particular players for. Keron has demonstrated to me that he understands the position.

Obviously there are things in his game that I will like to work with him on to improve, to see if I could extract it out of him. Keron is one of those players who has experience of being around international football, so I think from that point of view I would like to work with him and see if we can help him improve,” he said.

TT TRAINING SQUAD: Goalkeepers - Jan-Michael Williams (Central FC), Marvin Phillips (Caledonia AIA), Glenroy Samuel (Ma Pau Stars), Adrian Foncette (Police FC), Andre Marchan (Police FC) Defenders - Carlyle Mitchell (Unattached), Julius James (Central FC), Radanfah Abu Bakr (Unattached), Daneil Cyrus (Unattached), Jelani Peters (W Connection), Alvin Jones (W Connection), Curtis Gonzales (Defence Force), Jesus Perez (W Connection), Triston Hodge (W Connection) Midfielders - Leston Paul (Central FC), Sean De Silva (Central FC), Jared London (Club Sando), Hughtun Hector (W Connection), Tyrone Charles (San Juan Jabloteh), Akeem Humphrey (Club Sando), Jomoul Francois (Superstar Rangers), Nathan Lewis (San Juan Jabloteh), Keron Cummings (Central FC), Hashim Arcia (Defence Force) Forwards - Akeem Roach (Club Sando), Jameel Perry (Police FC), Jamille Boatswain (Defence Force)