National Senior Team head coach Russell Latapy arrived in the sister isle on Sunday afternoon with twenty-three players in his provisional squad to begin a live-in training camp ahead of the June 6 2010 World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica at the Dwight Yorke Stadium.
Following their check in at the Le Grand Courlan Hotel, Latapy conducted an evening training session at the Dwight Yorke Stadium and will continue their preparations before Latapy announces a final squad a week before the all-important World Cup Qualifier.
The only new addition to the squad which trained over the past few sessions in Trinidad is English-born midfielder Chris Birchall.
“As I’ve said before, I’m quite happy with the way things have gone so far. One of the things I wanted to achieve was getting us to a fitness level that is conducive to playing international football and we’re getting there and getting enough time to get them to understand the way I want them to play as a nation. We will spend the remaining days focusing more on how we want to play the upcoming games,” Latapy told TTFF Media.
“The professional League has started here and we’re asking a lot of these boys to play and prepare with us but the national team must always be a priority and we expect no less of players when it comes to them representing the country on the international level.”
On the introduction of some of the players in the squad, Latapy said he will continue to monitor their progress.
“My job is to get the best team so I have to look at everybody. I have not finalized my squad as yet but it’s important that we have the best possible players involved in the preparations that would lead to us getting the best team to play on the day,” Latapy added.
The Sunderland trio of Dwight Yorke, Kenwyne Jones and Carlos Edwards are carded to join the training camp later this week following their final Premiership fixture against Chelsea on Sunday.
T&T provisional squad in Tobago.
Goalkeepers
Clayton Ince, Marvin Phillips, Jan-Michael Williams.
Defenders
Keyeno Thomas, Dennis Lawrence, Marvin Andrews, Nickcolson Thomas, Radanfah Abu Bakr, Makan Hislop.
Midfielders
Hayden Tinto, Khaleem Hyland, Christopher Birchall, Densill Theobald, Trent Noel, Silvio Spann, Ataullah Guerra, Keon Daniel, Hughtun Hector, Collin Samuel, Carlos Edwards, Dwight Yorke, Kerry Baptiste.
Forwards
Stern John, Jason Scotland, Devon Jorsling, Kenwyne Jones.
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