Finnish-based striker Shahdon Winchester has been called up to join the National Men’s Senior team for next month’s back to back friendly internationals away to Romania and Estonia.
Winchester has been named in final 21-man squad which will arrive in Bucharest, Romania on June 1st for the match that will be played at the National Arena on June 4th. T&T will then face Estonia in Tallinn on June 7th
The T&T coaching staff led by co-head coaches Jamaal Shabazz and Hutson Charles were forced to name a squad without the likes of Ipswich Town’s Carlos Edwards and Racing Genk midfielder Khaleem Hyland who have both been advised by their club medics to undergo rehab for niggling injuries. Belgium-based defender Sheldon Bateau is also unavailable.
The squad however includes the likes of Middlesbrough defender Justin Hoyte who seems set to make his international debut for T&T. Hoyte confirmed to Shabazz on the weekend that he is eager to represent T&T and is looking forward to joining the squad in London prior to the journey to Bucharest. Notts County midfielder Andre Boucaud and Kazakhstan-based defender Radanfah Abu Bakr have also earned recalls for the first time since the early phase of their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign back in 2011.
The other overseas-based players in the squad include Port Vale’s Chris Birchall, Vancouver Whitecaps defender Carlyle Mitchell, Thailand-based defender Seon Powers, Vietnam-based midfielder Hughtun Hector, Turkish-based forward Darryl Roberts, US-based midfielders Keon Daniel and Kevin Molino, Kazakhstan-based defender Robert Primus and Finnish-based midfielder Ataullah Guerra.
They will be joined by a strong line up of home-based players such as Caledonia AIA forward Jamal Gay, goalkeepers Jan Michael Williams and Marvin Phillip, Defence Force’s Kevon Carter, W Connection duo Daneil Cyrus and Joevin Jones, North East Stars forward Cornell Glen and Caledonia AIA midfielder Densill Theobald.
“We were forced to make some adjustments to the squad because of the unavailability of three of the European-based players who have just ended long seasons and have been advised to receive treatment and undergo rehab,” Shabazz told TTFF Media.
But we believe in the current squad which is a very capable one and one that we are anticipating working with for these two international games and the rest of the build up for the Gold Cup in July,” he added.
“We’ve brought in young Shahdon Winchester who has settled in quite well with his new club in Finland as well as Radanfah Abu Bakr who is also enjoying good form at the moment in Kazakhstan, as replacements for Hyland and Bateau.
“Generally the squad has players that are all capable and right now it’s about getting the chance to bring them together as a group and preparing them towards playing as a unit in time for the Gold Cup, which is where these two games against the European opponents which will prove to be a good test for us and valuable to our preparations,” Shabazz added.
T&T 21-man squad for matches vs Romania and Estonia
Goalkeepers
Jan-Michael Williams (St Ann’s Rangers), Marvin Phillip (Central FC).
Defenders
Seon Power (Chainat FC, Thailand), Carlyle Mitchell (Vancouver Whitecaps, Canada), Daneil Cyrus (W Connection), Joevin Jones (W Connection), Justin Hoyte (Middlesbrough), Radanfah Abu Bakr (FC Vostok, Kazakhstan), Robert Primus (FC Aktobe, Kazakhstan).
Midfielders
Andre Boucaud (Notts County), Keon Daniel (Philadelphia Union), Densill Theobald (Caledonia AIA), Christopher Birchall (Port Vale), Kevin Molino (Orlando City), Ataullah Guerra (RoPS, Finland), Hughtun Hector (Song Lang Nghe, Vietnam), Kevon Carter (Defence Force).
Forwards
Cornell Glen (North East Stars), Jamal Gay (Caledonia AIA), Shahdon Winchester (FF Jaro, Finland), Darryl Roberts (Samsunspor, Turkey).