Smith, Flemmings could return for UWI

Dawyne Smith and Kemar Flemmings could be back to strengthen the University of the West Indies (UWI) Football Club outfit after the pair missed the Red Stripe Premier League first leg semi-final against Portmore United.

Both players were out for different reasons as UWI secured a 2-1 advantage heading into the return game, which will be played tomorrow at the UWI Bowl, starting at 3:00 p.m.

Midfielder Smith, who scored three goals during the regular season was out because of work commitments, while Flemmings, who is a strong tackling defender missed the game three weeks ago due to accumulation of cards.

Though available, the UWI coaching staff, up to yesterday, was still trying to decide if Smith and Flemmings would play a role in tomorrow's game.

Intense training

"They are important members of the team, but we are not sure if they will be included for Sunday's game," assistant coach of UWI, Andrew Peart told The Gleaner yesterday.

Peart also said the team has been doing some "intense and short training" in preparation for the game three weeks after the first leg, which took place at the Wembley Centre of Excellence in Clarendon.

"We have to do what we have to do in order to be ready," he added. "Every game we have to be confident," Peart added.

UWI are in their sophomore season after finishing fifth in their debut year in 2016, eventually missing the semi-final by one point. Now, they are in the semi-final and one foot in the final.

"The growth of UWI has been through the commitment of the players, coaching staff and UWI.

We have progressed by winning the Super League and gaining promotion to the Premier League," Peart said.

UWI finished second in the league title chase on 59 points, two behind league title winners Humble Lion, who were knocked out of contention for the league championship by Arnett Gardens in the other semi-final.