Sidebar

27
Sat, Apr

Typography
Midfielder Carlos Edwards had his first run out with the Trinidad and Tobago team on Monday since his knee injury last June as the “Warriors” continued their build up for Wednesday’s affair with the United States.


National Coach Bertille St Clair worked with the full compliment of players as Edwards arrived with Crewe Alexandra goalie Clayton Ince while Southampton’s Kenwyne Jones and Glasgow Rangers defender Marvin Andrews also joined the contingent the previous day, both playing in the 1-0 loss to Haiti at Shaw Park.

The previous evening, Birmingham City striker Dwight Yorke spoke briefly to reporters here as some quizzed him over his return to the national team.

Commenting on the loss which was his first appearance since the return, Yorke said “It was a game for most of us to get a run before Wednesday’s game and I don’t think we did badly even though the result was not in our favour. I felt good being out there and it’s about what happens on Wednesday.”

Meantime, Edwards, who had been out previous for six months is all pumped up for Wednesday’s match, stating that he’s fully recovered.

“It’s a positive vibe for me and I’m just waiting on Wednesday because I’ve never played against the USA before. I am going to give my 100 percent and I’m hoping that the other guys can see it that way and see it also as a stepping stone because a positive result against the USA will be a huge plus for us,” Edwards said.

The former Defence Force man is back in the Wrexham team but having been out since June when he last played against Dominican Republic, there have been some questions regarding his readiness for such a big outing.

“I feel very confident now because the knee is stronger than before based on what the doctors have indicated and there have been no complications up to now.”

Jones, fresh from his Premiership debut with Southampton, was the name left out last time around when Yorke was included for the friendly against Northern Ireland. But he is almost certain to now be in national colours on Wednesday alongside Yorke.

“I think when you have players like Dwight and some of the other guys we have who you can draw inspiration from, it’s always a plus not just for the younger players but for everyone. You get that sort of lift to come on and do well on the pitch. And for me it’s something I’m looking forward to,” Jones said.

“Every game is a big one and we have a task ahead of us which is to carry the country to Germany and we’ll up for giving our best on the day,”

The team relaxed for most of the morning period at the Grafton Beach Resort with a couple meetings during the period before the light afternoon session conducted by St Clair and assistants David Nakhid and Ron La Forest.

Currently based away from the Carnival scenes, some turned to playing games of cards, watching DVDs or listening to some of the popular Soca tracks. A definite favourite in camp has been Machel Montano’s “We not giving up” while there have been some bets passing on either Shurwayne Winchester’s “Dead or Alive” or Destra’s “Fly” for the Road March crown.