National coach Bertille St Clair has indicated his intentions to take nothing for granted in this country's closing semi-final round World Cup qualifying encounter against St Vincent and the Grenadines by calling eleven overseas-based overseas pros.
Currently having more time for training with his bunch of local players, St Clair has also recalled American-based New England Revolution defender Avery John who will be making a return to the "Soca Warriors" line up since last being in the squad against Morocco in September 2003. Also getting the nod is English-based Wrexham striker Hector Sam who last appeared against Venezuela earlier this year but has recently picked up form for the "Red Dragons".
Coventry City striker Stern John remains on standby as he has not fully recovered from an ankle injury while the rest of the overseas contingent includes Brent Rahim, Clayton Ince (Crewe Alexandra), Kenwyne Jones (Southampton), Ian Cox (Gillingham), Brent Sancho (Dundee), Marvin Andrews (Glasgow Rangers), Dennis Lawrence (Wrexham), Anthony Rougier (Nanjing Yo Yo) and New York/New Jersey MetroStars striker Cornell Glen.
With Ince forcing his way back into the Crewe first eleven after a recent 14 matches without a run, St Clair has called him as the only oveseas-based goalie in order to see him on international duty again and as such Shaka Hislop's services have not been requested for this encounter.
"Although we have one or two injury problems we are still able to field a very strong team," St Clair told TTFF Media following a training session on Wednesday. "Now that the local season has ended We are looking for a convincing victory against St.Vincent next week before moving into the Digicel Cup where we intend to use as a not only a warm up for the final round but also as a chance to see some other faces that have been waiting for a chance.These guys know that it is important that we reach and maintain a standard as well as improve as we go along."
John is expected to do some light jogging this week after coming off the knee-high support boot on his right side but is still experiencing some sort of discomfort.
There was little he could do as Coventry City were downed 3-0 by Leicester City on Monday and sunk close to the relegation Zone.
"It's disappointing because not only am I not able to play for my club but now I could be missing a game for the country . If it were up to me, I'd come on the next available flight but I'll have to see how it goes the next couple days before knowing if I can come for the game. Some people may say that the game is of no real importance but I think it's just as crucial for us because we want to ensure that we continue working on developing that winning mentality and keep on improving as a team. I think it's great that most of the guys will be back for this game. At the same time, if I'm not in the team for this match, maybe it would be a good chance for someone else to step up and get a place in the team. The local-based guys are also striving to make it good and hopefully we can all get it right when it comes to putting the team on show," John added.
Glen, who will be working closely with physio David Cumbperbatch as he aims to get back in full fitness following his hamstring injury, is already in the country while Rahim was expected in on Friday. The other pros will start arriving this weekend. St Clair will continue his sessions at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Friday morning.
List of foreign-pros called:
Clayton Ince, Kenwyne Jones, Ian Cox, Brent Sancho, Marvin Andrews, Dennis Lawrence, Avery John, Anthony Rougier, Brent Rahim, Cornell Glen, Hector Sam.