INJURED central defender Nyron Nosworthy will be able to return to the Reggae Boyz fold in about four months if his surgery is successful.

The 31-year-old Watford central defender suffered a lower right leg injury in the first half of Jamaica’s World Cup qualifier against Panama on Friday night at the National Stadium, in a game marked by very rough play. In the 1-1 draw, Nosworthy had to be replaced.

Medical examinations subsequently revealed that he had suffered an Achilles tendon injury which will require surgery.

Nosworthy, capped 10 times for the Reggae Boyz, will have the surgery done in England and flew home from Jamaica yesterday to have the procedure done. Once the surgery is done, according to the medical report, the Achilles tendon will take six weeks to heal and another eight to 10 weeks of rehabilitation for him to return to full fitness.

His place in the squad to face Costa Rica tomorrow was taken by Harbour View defender Montrose Phinn.

“The Federation made all the arrangements for Nyron’s comfortable return to the UK and his club. We have sent a full medical report from our team to the club whose medical team will examine in consultation with their specialists.

“Our management team is in constant contact with his club and will continue to monitor his progress,” Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) general secretary Raymond Grant was quoted as saying in a JFF release.

Nosworthy had formed a solid central defensive partnership with his former clubmate Adrian Mariappa with their almost telepathic understanding which played an important role in Jamaica’s historic draw with Mexico on February 6 as they blunted the threat of Manchester United star Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez.

Coach Theodore Whitmore acknowledged the value of Nosworthy to the unit, but said there was enough strength in the squad to get the job done against Costa Rica.

“What Nosworthy brought to the team was obvious. He was a really valuable member of the squad as his partnership with Mariappa was important to our defensive strength, but we have a strong squad.

“We have players who can step up and do the job. Jermaine Taylor was a starter in central defence before both players came in and only a suspension due to cards made him ineligible to play in our first qualifier against Guatemala, and Mariappa and Nosworthy made the positions their own,” Whitmore said.

Whitmore suggested with the misfortune could come the opportunity to show the depth of the squad.

“In the same way that Nosworthy and Mariappa made use of their opportunities, Taylor or whoever comes can make the position his own and improve the competition in the squad. This would be a very healthy situation for us,” Whitmore said.

Besides Nosworthy, forward Jermaine Beckford also suffered an injury in Friday’s game but is fit enough to play. The Huddersfield Town striker suffered a “closed fracture of the fourth metacarpal of the left hand” but has been cleared to train and play in a splint.