Brits on Reggae Boyz’ Radar For Nations League
Coach Whitmore could rejig squad after Gold Cup discontent
Chey Dunkley and Bobby Reid are under the radar for Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz to tackle next month’s CONCACAF Nations League Group B games.
The pair were both invited to be part of the Boyz initial 40-player squad ahead of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, but the duo were overlooked to be part of the final 23 that reached the semi-final stage in July.
Chey Dunkley, a centre back who plies his trade with Championship club Wigan Athletic, was born in Wolverhampton in central England. He made his senior debut on loan at non-league outfit Hednesford Town as an 18-year-old on work experience from parent club Crewe Alexander.
The 27-year-old made two England C appearances five years ago, but his career stuttered until he moved to Wigan in June 2017.
Forward Reid, who got relegated from the English Premier League (EPL) with Cardiff City last term is currently on loan with fellow Championship Fulham. He has yet to score in four appearances this season.
The 26-year-old played for his home town team of Bristol City from 2011-18, although was constantly loaned out until he signed a four-year deal in June 2018 with Welsh outfit Cardiff for £10 million (US$12.2m).
Reid has made just 28 appearances for Cardiff and notched five goals. He moved on loan to last season’s EPL outfit Fulham earlier this month.
He obtained a Jamaican passport, on account of his parents being from the Caribbean island.
Jamaica head coach Theodore Whitmore is potentially looking to rejig his squad for September’s back-to-back Nations League Group games. This is following discontent over financial rewards among his 23-player squad, which recently reached the Gold Cup semi-finals for the third successive time.
Jamaica Football Federation president Michael Ricketts has revealed that Whitmore was once more considering British-based players to bolster the squad.
Midfielders Ravel Morrison (Sheffield United) and Daniel Johnson (Preston North End) are being looked at in a bid to give German-based attacking midfielder Leon Bailey more freedom.
The Boyz have a training squad this week in Kingston for players who compete in the Red Stripe Premier League on the island, plus striker Cory Burke who is waiting for a new US visa before he can return to MLS side Philadelphia Union.
Whitmore will soon be naming his final squad that will host Antigua & Barbuda on 6 September before tackling hosts Guyana three days later in must-win Nations League Group B matches.
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