Morrison makes Saudi list - ... JFF confirms camp for 5 local players named in squad
Published:Thursday | October 29, 2020 | 12:18 AMRobert Bailey/Gleaner Writer
One-time Manchester United promise Ravel Morrison is one of four new call-ups to a national senior team that features five local-based players, with Jamaica set for a double date with Saudi Arabia on November 14 and 17.
As the Reggae Boyz get ready to tackle the Saudis in the two friendly international assignments, which will both be played in Riyadh, General Secretary of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Dalton Wint took time to note that despite the small number of local players in the 24-member squad, which was named yesterday, the organisation still plans to go ahead with its training camp at the University of West Indies (UWI)/JFF/Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence.
The camp is scheduled to begin on November 3, with the team set to depart the island on November 6.
“It (camp) will be going for about three or four days. This camp makes sense because we want to get them together and ensure that they are free from the virus, and the coaching staff will be able to work on the plans that they have for the game,” said Wint.
The players will undergo COVID-19 tests at the facility on November 4 while the players based at overseas clubs will also be required to present their test results to the federation ahead of the games.
“The players will be tested before the camp, and they will not be allowed to enter into the camp until we have received their test results,” he said. “The venue will be properly sanitised because we will be adhering to the rules and protocols that have been set out by the Government of Jamaica,” he said. “A professional company will come in and sanitise the entire facility before the players and management staff enter into it,” Wint stated.
The five local-based players in coach Theodore Whitmore’s squad are Lamar Walker (Portmore), Dennis Taylor (Humble Lion), Ricardo Morris (Portmore), Kemal Malcolm (Arnett Gardens), and Jahshaun Anglin (Harbour View).
MORRISON YET TO FEATURE
Meanwhile, Morrison, a former England youth product, has held a Jamaican passport since 2018 but is yet to feature for the Reggae Boyz despite invitations for Nations League assignments as well as the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup. The much-travelled midfielder was once seen as the next big thing in the United Kingdom, but he is yet to fulfil that early promise, with his career taking him all across the globe with stints at West Ham; Italian club Lazio; Atlas in Mexico; Ostersund in Sweden; and his current home, Dutch top-flight club ADO Den Haag.
The other first-time invitees are former Jamaica College standout Norman Campbell, who recently signed for Serbian club FK Graficar, Aberdeen defender Gregory Leigh, and Preston North End midfielder Daniel Johnson.
Also included in the squad is USL top scorer Junior Flemmings, who received global notoriety after he was accused of directing a homophobic slur to an opponent during a match. Flemmings was later suspended by the league and charged an undisclosed amount.
Bayer Leverkusen star Leon Bailey, Belgian league hot-shot Shamar Nicholson, and Fulham’s Bobby Reid highlight the squad.
Amal Knight (San Diego Loyal), Dwayne Miller (Syrianska FC), Kemar Lawrence (Anderlecht), Gregory Leigh (Aberdeen), Daniel Johnson (Preston North End), Norman Campbell (FK Graficar), Oniel Fisher (DC United), Alvas Powell (Inter Miami), Ravel Morrison (ADO Den Haag), Adrian Mariappa (Watford), Damion Lowe (Phoenix Rising), Michael Hector (Fulham), Kevon Lambert (Pheonix Rising), Leon Bailey (Bayer Leverkusen), Kaheem Parris (Krka), Junior Flemmings (Phoenix Rising), Bobby Reid (Fulham), Shamar Nicholson (Charleroi), Javon East (Santos de Guapiles).