Avery John wants fixed W/Cup spot

DEFENDER Avery John is aiming to nail down a place in the Trinidad and Tobago team for World Cup 2006 in Germany. John who returned on Saturday after helping New England Revolution to reach the Eastern Conference final in Major League Soccer in the United States, expressed confidence he can do enough to impress national coach Bertille St Clair to make him a fixture in his team. He was recalled to national duty against St Vincent and the Grenadines in a CONCACAF World Cup qualifying game at Hasely Crawford Stadium tomorrow. John said, “once you play football at a professional level, your goal is always to represent the national team, particularly when you’ve come up the different age-levels as I have done.

“I’ve played with most of these guys before and now coming back for what is obviously one of the biggest stages now with us going after a place in the World Cup is no better time to be part of the set up again.” John made 17 first team appearances for the Revolution scoring what was then described as the “goal of the week,” a long-range left-footer against Columbus Crew, before they were beaten in the Eastern Conference final by DC United. He believes he is a more rounded footballer now, having played with different teams over the past two years, including a stint with Longford Town in the Irish League and a training spell alongside countryman Stern John (no relation) while at Birmingham City before moving to the MLS. John admitted, “so far I’ve felt very good in training, Settling back with the rest of the guys was never going to be a problem.” He said he felt at home with Densil Theobald, Silvio Spann, Angus Eve, Leslie “Tiger” Fitzpatrick, Derek King, Marlon Rojas, Keyeno Thomas, Jerren Nixon and Errol McFarlane to name a few.

John also wants to be part of the national squad for the Digicel Cup against Grenada, Suriname and Puerto Rico here on November 24-28. Central defender Marvin “Dog” Andrews who played in Rangers’ 1-0 victory over Hibernians on Sunday was expected to return yesterday, along with China-based Anthony Rougier, Brent Sancho, Clayton Ince, Hector Sam, Dennis Lawrence and Kenwyne Jones, and are all expected to be at training at the Hasely Crawford Stadium for Wednesday’s game.