Club committments force Russell, Anderson absences
Published:Sunday | March 23, 2025 | 10:00 PMGregory Bryce/Staff Reporter
REGGAE BOYZ coach Steve McClaren, despite having his pick of players for the Concacaf Gold Cup preliminary fixture against St Vincent and the Grenadines because the tie falls in an international window, said the absences of Jon Russell and Karoy Anderson were because of club obligations.
The two midfielders were McClaren’s picks to replace Hull City’s Kasey Palmer, who had pulled out of the Reggae Boyz selection because of an injury.
Russell and Anderson, who play in the English Football League (EFL) League One with Barnsley and Charlton Athletic, respectively, could not make the trip because the late call-ups caused clashes with their club commitments.
“We had the squad picked and Kasey Palmer was in that squad but, unfortunately, he dropped out with an ankle injury,” McClaren explained in a pre-game interview.
“We attempted to bring Jon Russell and Karoy into the squad but their clubs wanted them and needed them, they got games this Saturday. They’re going for play-offs and promotion, really big games, so the players and managers wanted them to stay.”
Their absence, however, opened the door for Montego Bay United’s Demario Phillips to receive the national call-up.
McClaren described Phillips as a player who will bring a lot of energy to the team’s midfield, having been impressed by his performance in recent international friendlies against Trinidad and Tobago.
“We added Demario Phillips into the squad. I know him well from the camp last time and he brings energy out on the field and into the squad. He is a great personality,” he said.
Despite not having three of his midfield picks, McClaren remains confident his selection of players will be enough to topple St Vincent across both legs.
The teams will face off today at the Arnos Vale Stadium at 6 p.m., before the second leg in Jamaica at Sabina Park on March 21.
The winner of the tie will advance to the group stages of the Concacaf Gold Cup, set to begin on June 14.
“I’m very pleased with the squad and I’m very satisfied. This is a squad that can do the job,” he explained.