‘It feels amazing to be back’

JAMAICAN INTERNATIONAL Amari’i Bell is delighted to be once again involved with the national programme, having been sidelined for months due to an injury he picked up in March earlier this year.

The defender suffered a season-ending hamstring injury while playing for his club Luton Town during a Premier League fixture against Aston Villa.

Bell said it was a difficult period in his career but he is excited to once again don the black, green, and gold of Jamaica.

“It feels amazing to be back,” he stated.

“It’s been a long time now, but I’m happy to be here. It was a big injury, one of my first in my career so mentally it was hard to get back in a good place but it’s been a while now. I’ve went through the rough patch but I’m feeling good and I’m in good spirits.”

The timing of his injury meant Bell missed out on competing in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Nations League as well as the 2024 Copa América.

He had hoped he would have recovered in time for theCopa América and was even named in former head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson’s squad for the tournament.

However, he was ruled unfit for play and did not get the chance to take the field.

Disappointed to have missed out on those major milestones in his international career, Bell explained he was supporting the team from afar as he underwent rehabilitation.

“I was up in the hours of the morning watching the games as well. It was good when we finished third in the Nations League,” he explained.

“I was gutted I couldn’t be there for the celebrations and stuff as it was a proud moment for everyone and obviously even participating in the Copa America was great. Unfortunately, we didn’t do as well as we thought we could have, but yeah, it’s stepping stones.”

‘Unfinished business’

Bell’s focus now is to return to his very best for both club and country. The defender has played thrice so far in the English Football League (EFL) Championship for Luton Town, firmly fixing his gaze on getting back to the Premier League where he says he has “unfinished business”.

Closer to home, Bell is aiming for a good start in the Nations League against Cuba and Honduras as he believes the team has the quality to better their third-place finish from the previous staging.

“Obviously, the plan is to go one step better this time and win it. That’s the plan. There is no reason why we can’t do it. Everyone believes in ourselves and what we can do, so we’re going to go for it.”

Jamaica faces Cuba on Friday at the National Stadium with a 7 p.m. kickoff before an away date against Honduras the following Tuesday.