CABLE BEACH, Bahamas — A thunder storm accompanied by sporadic downpour throughout Tuesday night has impacted the Reggae Boyz’s final training session in preparation for Thursday’s exhibition match-up against English giants Tottenham Hotspur at the newly-constructed Thomas A Robinson National Stadium near here.

The persistent bad weather has caused flooding of the pitch at the match venue, which organisers opted to protect in time for Thursday night’s kick-off of the highly-anticipated game.

The Boyz had the option of training on the astro-turf of the Roscow AL Davies Soccer Field where they trained on Tuesday, but did not want to risk injuries ahead of the match, plus the ensuing pre-World Cup camp which will run to June 1.

Instead, a cautious coaching staff opted to take the players on a beach work-out, similarly to what they did when they arrived on Monday.

“It’s always mandatory that the team is afforded a training session at the match venue, but due to the freak storm last night (Tuesday) we were informed in time by the organisers we would not be able to train at the venue,” team manager Roy Simpson told the Jamaica Observer.

“Based on that we didn’t have rain today (Wednesday) leading up to the training so we went ahead with training plans, but the coaches in their best wisdom decided against using the alternatives offered, which  the astro-turf, because they didn’t want risk unnecessary injuries on the day before the game,” he added.

Meanwhile, it appears that Coach Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore is set to give new invitee, the German-born Daniel Gordon his first cap in defence as a Jamaican international against a star-studded Tottenham Hotspur. Also expected to start is Richard McCallum in goal, with the defence line completed by Alvas Powell, Xavian Virgo and Obrian Woodbine. The midfield is likely to be composed of Evan Taylor, Damion Williams, Jermaine Hue and Keammar Daley, while Darren Mattocks and a late arriving Jermaine ‘Teddy’ Johnson are in the attack.

Rodolph Austin, who is in the squad and who would be expected to start the match, is carrying a slight groin problem and is being rested for “precautionary reasons”.

After Thursday’s match-up, the group will remain in the Bahamas where they will be joined by 11 other players for a training camp which includes a game against the Bahamian national team on May 31.

The Boyz are preparing for back-to-back home World Cup qualifying games against Mexico (June 4) and the USA (June 7).

— Sean Williams