Injury Setback Forces Changes to Reggae Boyz Playoff Squad
Jamaica will head into their FIFA World Cup playoff fixtures without winger Demarai Gray and midfielder Kevon Lambert after both players were ruled out.
Set to contest a crucial qualifier, head coach Rudolph Speid had initially included the pair in a 27-man squad for the March 26 encounter with New Caledonia in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Victory in that fixture would move the Reggae Boyz into a March 31 showdown against DR Congo, with a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the line.
Trouble for the squad emerged after Gray picked up an injury during Birmingham City’s narrow 1-0 defeat to Derby County in the English Championship on Saturday.
At 29 years old, the winger has contributed seven goals in 29 appearances for Jamaica, making his absence a notable setback.
Frustratingly for the national team, this marks the third occasion in recent months that Gray has missed international duty due to injury.
Previously, he had withdrawn from the September and October windows during the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.
Stepping into the squad, Tivoli Gardens attacker Nickalia Fuller has been called up as Gray’s replacement.
Across the Jamaica Premier League campaign, Fuller has recorded five goals this season.
Meanwhile, Lambert has also been sidelined through injury, though no replacement has yet been confirmed.
Ahead of Thursday’s clash with New Caledonia, the squad is scheduled to travel to Guadalajara on Tuesday.
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