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Big names missing - Boyz start preparations for Canada friendly <DIV class=KonaBody>
Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
Carl Brown - file
When coach Carl Brown blew his whistle at 4:45 p.m. yesterday, only 10 players responded as preparation for Jamaica's international friendly against Canada at the National Stadium on Sunday got on the way.
Shawn Sawyers, Fabian Davis, Claude Davis, Oneil Thompson, Xavean Virgo, Khari Stephenson, Omar Daley, Demar Phillips, Sean Fraser and Kevin Lamey all decked in their green outfits took to the field for light workouts at Collie Smith Drive.
Moments later the Seba duo of Damion Williams and Wifred Smith along with Richard McCallum, turned up and were quickly put through their paces by fitness trainer Junior Samuels.
Flight problems
Coach Brown explained that the Swedish-based players, Teafore Bennett, Jermaine Hue and Luton Shelton had flight problems and missed training.
"Some of the players like Teafore, Jermaine and Shelton had flight problems and should be coming in tomorrow," said Brown after training.
But there were no Leighton Murray, Ricardo Fuller, Damion Stewart, Shavar Thomas, Garfield Reid, Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Shane Crawford, Fabian Dawkins and Roland Dean.
Earlier yesterday, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) announced a 25-man squad to play Canada which saw Shavar Thomas return to the national programme for the first time in many years.
The 25 year-old Thomas who currently has 12 caps, represented Jamaica at every youth level before entering the 2003 Major League Soccer (MLS) Super Draft, where he was selected 10th overall by the Dallas Burn. Thomas struggled in his first year but finished the season with 14 starts for the Burn.
Taylor out
Thomas who was traded to the Wizards in his second year, established himself as a solid defender playing centre back for one of the league's best defensive teams.
Nine overseas-based players were added to the local squad which failed to defend their Digicel Caribbean Cup title, surprisingly falling at the first hurdle at home.
Jermaine Taylor, Jason Morrison and Demar Stewart who played Sunday, were not included in the squad.</DIV>
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