WEEHAWKEN, New Jersey – Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz will have their first proper training session at the Giants Stadium later this evening ahead of Wednesday’s friendly International Against Ecuador.

The Boyz who began arriving at their New Jersey base in the early hours of Sunday morning had a 45-minute training session in the pool and the gym on Sunday evening but will take to the field today. This evening’s training session will give coach Theodore Whitmore and his assistant Bradley Stewart an opportunity to develop some understanding in the central defense and central midfield.

Whitmore was forced to make changes to what would have been his starting team with the late withdrawal of defensive stalwart Tyrone Marshall due to injury and even later notification of unavailability emerging midfield lynchpin, Rodolph Austin. Marshall was replaced in the squad by Dicoy Williams of Harbour View and Austin who aggravated an ankle injury could be replaced by Harbour View midfielder Richard Edwards.

With Marshall out, Shavar Thomas, who added some stability to the defense during the recently held Gold Cup, could be partnered in the centre of defense with the returning Jermaine Taylor of St Georges. Jason Morrison a fixture in the centre of Jamaica’s midfield since his impressive displays in the 2008 Digicel Caribbean Championships when he partnered Austin could have Khari Stephenson of Aalesunds SK in Norway by his side in the engine room.

Of the previously-named players to the 18-man squad Luton Shelton who recently returned to Valerenga from loan with Aalborg in Denmark, was the last to report. He did so just after 1:00pm. His fellow Norway-based professionals Demar Phillips and Stephenson arrived on Sunday night while the duo of Morrison and Wolfe who ply their trade in Hungary arrived earlier in the afternoon.

The United States-based Thomas, Omar Cummings and Dane Richards arrived on Sunday as well.

Squad:
Goalkeepers
Dwayne Miller (Harbour View), Shawn Sawyers (Portmore United)

Defenders - Shavar Thomas (Chiva USA), Jermaine Taylor (St Georges), Demar Phillips (Alesunds SK), Rafe Wolfe (Ferencvaros), Eric Vernan (Portmore United), Dicoy Williams (Harbour View)

Midfielders - Jason Morrison (Ferencvaros), Khari Stephenson (Alesunds SK), Lovel Palmer (Harbour View), Dane Richards (New York Red Bulls)

Forwards – Luton Shelton (Valerenga), Omar Cummings (Colorado Rapids), Navion Boyd (Tivoli Gardens), Keammar Daley (Meadhaven) and Devon Hodges (Rivoli United).

Jamaica Football Federation press release

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