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CREWE ALEX: GRANT HAS JAMAICA CALL-UP IN HIS SIGHTS
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CREWE ALEX
BY GWYN GRIFFITHS
09:40 - 14 July 2008
by Gwyn Griffiths
Winger Joel Grant hopes his move to Crewe will boost his chances of a Jamaica World Cup call-up.
Grant has already featured for the Reggae Boyz at youth level and cut off touring with them to seal his £130,000 switch from League Two newcomers Aldershot last month.
The 20-year-old played a big role in Garry Waddock's side's title campaign last season and his transfer proved to be a record for the Shots.
Part of the former Watford trainee's family still reside on the Caribbean island and he hopes to be involved in their qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup finals.
"I am hoping having moved to Crewe it will help me to push on for full international honours," admitted Grant.
"I've yet to make a senior debut, but I've trained with the squad a few times.
"Jamaica have an under-23s side, which means at my age I can play regularly, but I am hoping to move up to the seniors soon."
Grant insists Jamaican football is on the upturn again after the euphoria of qualifying for the 1998 World Cup finals died away.
"Players like Ian Goodison, Ricardo Fuller and Ricardo Gardner have done well higher up the leagues, but we need to do better as a national side," added Grant.
"There was a lot of excitement when we qualified for the World Cup, but it went all wrong afterwards.
"Now the manager who helped us qualify back then, Rene Simones, has taken over again. Things have become a bit more professional and the aim is to qualify for the next World Cup."
Jamaica face Mexico, Honduras and Canada in the first group phase of the CONCACAF qualifiers, with games scheduled between August and November.
But before then Crewe's management team insist Grant will need to work on boosting his fitness despite his involvement in last week's Bulgarian training camp.
Grant played the second-half of the goalless clash with Second Division side Maritsa Plovdiv, but Alex assistant manager Neil Baker pointed out: "Joel has not done a pre-season for two years and he looks a bit lethargic.
"But there is no doubt he has got some real ability. In the game in Bulgaria he got a few crosses in and showed he could beat his man."
Be the first reader to comment on this story
CREWE ALEX
BY GWYN GRIFFITHS
09:40 - 14 July 2008
by Gwyn Griffiths
Winger Joel Grant hopes his move to Crewe will boost his chances of a Jamaica World Cup call-up.
Grant has already featured for the Reggae Boyz at youth level and cut off touring with them to seal his £130,000 switch from League Two newcomers Aldershot last month.
The 20-year-old played a big role in Garry Waddock's side's title campaign last season and his transfer proved to be a record for the Shots.
Part of the former Watford trainee's family still reside on the Caribbean island and he hopes to be involved in their qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup finals.
"I am hoping having moved to Crewe it will help me to push on for full international honours," admitted Grant.
"I've yet to make a senior debut, but I've trained with the squad a few times.
"Jamaica have an under-23s side, which means at my age I can play regularly, but I am hoping to move up to the seniors soon."
Grant insists Jamaican football is on the upturn again after the euphoria of qualifying for the 1998 World Cup finals died away.
"Players like Ian Goodison, Ricardo Fuller and Ricardo Gardner have done well higher up the leagues, but we need to do better as a national side," added Grant.
"There was a lot of excitement when we qualified for the World Cup, but it went all wrong afterwards.
"Now the manager who helped us qualify back then, Rene Simones, has taken over again. Things have become a bit more professional and the aim is to qualify for the next World Cup."
Jamaica face Mexico, Honduras and Canada in the first group phase of the CONCACAF qualifiers, with games scheduled between August and November.
But before then Crewe's management team insist Grant will need to work on boosting his fitness despite his involvement in last week's Bulgarian training camp.
Grant played the second-half of the goalless clash with Second Division side Maritsa Plovdiv, but Alex assistant manager Neil Baker pointed out: "Joel has not done a pre-season for two years and he looks a bit lethargic.
"But there is no doubt he has got some real ability. In the game in Bulgaria he got a few crosses in and showed he could beat his man."
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