Injured Spann to return home

Spann, who has been nursing a hamstring injury was yesterday given the heartbreaking news that he would not be fit in time for Trinidad and Tobago’s opening Group “B” match against Sweden on June 10 in Dortmund.

His place will be taken by Evans Wise, who has been travelling with the 23-man World Cup squad in Europe as a reserve and will now get his chance on football’s grandest stage. Spann, a former National Under-23 stand-out played with Yokohama FC in Japan last season but has been out of action since the start of 2006.

He was on the sidelines for some weeks after suffering a knee injury shortly after the 2-0 win over Iceland on Carnival Tuesday in London, England. And despite being fit again, he remained unattached before playing for a President’s Eleven in two friendlies against Grenada in April in Trinidad.

He then subsequently pulled up with a hamstring injury inside the first week of the training camp at Carden Park, Manchester earlier this month.

National team coach Leo Beenhakker was hopeful that Spann would be ready again, at least in time for the second Group “B” World Cup match against England on June 15 in Nuremberg.

But following rehabilitation treatment with the team’s medical staff it was determined that based on his progress, Spann would face a tight race to be ready for even the match versus Paraguay on June 20 in Kaiserslautern.

Spann took the bad news in stride and has promised to bounce back.

“It’s always hard especially before a tournament such as this to receive such words. It’s harsh but it’s fair because after getting the injury I remained positive and I kept faith that I would recover.

“But the coach had a decision to make and he had to choose the 23 players to go to the World Cup. In my case it would have been difficult to be ready by the England match and I am disheartened by not being able to represent the country because this was the dream of my father and myself,” Spann said yesterday.

“The coach spoke to me and he explained to me why the decision had to be taken. And I have no doubt that he means well for us,” he said.

“I wish my teammates and especially my close friends on the team all the best and that God’s grace be with them. I know they will do us proud and I will be there at least in spirit with them.

“I want each and every player to represent us to the fullest. They must never think anything is impossible. It is possible that we can go on to the second round and further,” said the former Vibe CT 105 W Connection player. Spann is now expected to depart the team camp before the end of the week.