REGGAE Boyz Head Coach Steve McClaren has acknowledged that he had significant challenges in selecting Jamaica’s squad for the upcoming Unity Cup tournament, citing scheduling conflicts, injuries, and travel-related issues as major obstacles.

The four-nation tournament featuring Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago (TTO), Ghana, and Nigeria, will run from May 27 to 31 at Brentford FC’s Gtech Community Stadium in West London. Jamaica opens against Caribbean rivals TTO, with the result determining whether they face the winner or loser of the Ghana-Nigeria clash.

McClaren announced the squad during a virtual press conference on Thursday. He says he will name two additional players to the squad this weekend, but did not disclose whether they will be locally or overseas-based.

“It has been a very difficult squad to pick, mainly because of the timing of the fixture around JPL play-off dates,” he said. “They [the players] are coming in very late, jet-lagged, and we will have one day of preparation for the game, which is not going to be ideal.”

Adding to the Reggae Boyz’s complications is a list of unavailable or injured players, but McClaren said he is hopeful of having Michail Antonio and Bobby Reid back for the Concacaf Gold Cup this summer.

“We have had injuries to Michail Antonio, Di’shon Bernard, and Bobby Reid with his hamstring injury. Bobby may be fit for the Gold Cup; Michail, also we are hoping to have him for that.”

Despite the challenges, McClaren says he has named a balanced squad, blending overseas talent with promising locally based players. Among the newcomers is 24-year-old forward Rumarn Burrell, who plays in the EFL League One for Burton Albion. Burrell, who qualifies for Jamaica through his parents, has netted 11 goals in 30 appearances this season and was previously named in Jamaica’s preliminary squad for the upcoming Gold Cup.

Also earning a first call-up is Tafari Chambers, a 24-year-old goalkeeper from Mount Pleasant Academy. Chambers is one of eight Jamaica Premier League (JPL)-based players in the 23-man squad.

“The squad is a mixture,” McClaren said. “Because of the local camps that we had in January and February, and because of the inclusion of 10 JPL players in the last squad against St Vincent and Grenadines, we will give them experience by coming to the UK. When you play international football you want to give local players that experience, not just on the island but also abroad — especially in the UK.”

Charlton Athletic forward Kaheim Dixon has been named, but his availability hinges on the outcome of his club’s play-off fixture this Sunday.

“There are quite a few that we wanted to pick but we haven’t been able to do that,” McClaren said “We have included Dixon at the moment but I don’t know if he can join us after Charlton Athletic’s play-off. Certainly, we are looking for him after they play their game.”

Jamaica’s senior stars, including Leon Bailey and Ethan Pinnock, will not participate in the Unity Cup as they are being preserved for the upcoming Fifa World Cup qualifiers. Both are expected to finish their club seasons on Sunday and will be rested to recover from a physically demanding campaign.

“Leon and Ethan have had tough seasons and we need them fresh for the World Cup qualifiers,” he said.

JAMAICA SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Shaquan Davis, Benjamin Williams, Tafari Chambers

Defenders: Richard King, Mason Holgate, Dexter Lembikisa, Kyle Ming, Amari’i Bell, Greg Leigh, Stephen Young

Midfielders: Isaac Hayden, Kasey Palmer, Brandon Cover, Jon Russell, Daniel Green

Forwards: Dwayne Atkinson, Renaldo Cephas, Warner Brown, Rumarn Burrell, Kaheim Dixon, Javon East