Rising Jamaican star Dujuan “Whisper” Richards has not been included in the Reggae Boyz 23-man squad for the upcoming Concacaf Nations League matches against Grenada and Haiti next week.

The 17-year-old forward has made every national senior team squad since March of this year, including September’s Nations League matches at the National Stadium, where he started in the win against Honduras and came off the bench in the draw with Haiti.

However, Hallgrimsson says his inactivity at club level played a major part in his exclusion. Richards is due to join English Premier League team Chelsea later this month after his 18th birthday.

“We have to be consistent in what we say,” Hallgrimsson said. “He hasn’t played a game for such a long time. From my point of view, I’d have liked to select him for this camp because he has done good in recent games for us when he has been given a chance, but we have to be consistent in what we say and what we do.

“Sadly, his age isn’t helping him [because] he’s not 18, so he cannot go to Chelsea to start to play and train. We have to wait until he turns 18 so he can start to play senior football. Hopefully, it will be short before we pick him again.”

Centre back Ethan Pinnock has also been left out due to injury, which has seen a surprise inclusion for defender Michael Hector who hasn’t played for the team in over two years.

The 31-year-old, who has 35 caps for Jamaica, is playing for English Football League Championship club Charlton Athletic. Assistant Coach Merron Gordon says this could be a new lease on life for the previously excluded centre back.

“It’s always good to try to bring in an experienced [player] to replace an experienced [player],” Gordon said. “He’s never worked with this coaching staff before [who] always wanted to see him. He’s a seasoned campaigner for us, so it’s a good opportunity for him.”

Other players missing from the squad are defender Amari’i Bell and midfielder Kasey Palmer, who were ruled out due to injury while reserve goalkeeper Coniah Boyce-Clarke was left out to get more game time at English League One club Reading.

Hector’s club teammate, 19-year-old Karoy Anderson, has received his first call-up after his eight appearances for the first team, and registering two assists.

West Ham striker Michail Antonio returns to the squad as does Rotherham United defender Dexter Lembikisa.

Goalkeeper Kemar Foster and midfielder Demario Phillips are the only local-based players in the squad.

Jamaica will play both games away from home, meeting Grenada on October 11 at 6 pm Jamaica time, then Haiti in Port of Spain, Trinidad, on October 15 at 7:00 pm Jamaica time.