DESPITE Shamar Nicholson’s goalscoring record with the Reggae Boyz, Head Coach Steve McClaren says the striker isn’t currently in his plans due to his lacklustre form over the past few months.

The 24-man squad for the final two second-round Concacaf World Cup qualifiers against British Virgin Islands and Guatemala, starting this week, was announced on Tuesday with several star names making a return after their Unity Cup absence.

While the likes of Leon Bailey, Demarai Gray, Damion Lowe and Captain Andre Blake have all been named, Nicholson has been left out.

The 28-year-old, who currently plays in Mexico’s top division, hasn’t played competitive football since mid-April. Nicholson joined Club Tijuana from Spartak Moscow in Russia but managed just nine appearances, scoring one goal.

He did play in Jamaica’s opening Gold Cup qualifier away to St Vincent and the Grenadines in March but was benched in the second leg for Arnett Gardens striker Warner Brown.

Nicholson is currently Jamaica’s leading goalscorer among active players and is sixth all time with 19 goals in 56 appearances since his debut in 2017.

However, McClaren says his form in recent times wasn’t good enough to be part of the present squad.

“Against St Vincent he played the first game and I was, he was, and the majority of the people watching was disappointed with the performance,” he said.

“We spoke with Shamar and said that he has to play for his club so, since going back to Mexico, he didn’t play, he was on the bench, and his season finished on the 20th of April and I think it’s maybe starting again in preseason now but not starting — so that’s quite a break. We felt the condition of Shamar at this present time wasn’t up, and we can’t bring him in camp and get him fit,” he said.

Nicholson could also miss out on the Concacaf Gold Cup later this month but McClaren says there’s still a future for him in the team.

“It’s up to Shamar. As I said from the beginning, I like Shamar, he’s my kind of number nine: He’s big, strong, run in behind, hold the ball up and score goals — and that’s what he’s got to start doing for his club,” he said.

“Without doubt, this is a big year, big few months coming up. I know he’s now working very hard in going back to Mexico and getting some form where he may be able to come back into the squad.”

Midfielder Ravel Morrison keeps his place in the squad following the Unity Cup, despite McClaren ruling out his participation due to him playing for Preicision FC in the United Arab Emirates second division.

While still of the belief that the league is below par, McClaren says Morrison has proven his value to the squad.

“I liked his attitude in training — he was good around the young players, he was good around the squad. He brought something different to us, and I’ve got no hesitation including him for the World Cup qualifiers because he came in and he improved the atmosphere, the quality of training and the team,” he said.

“Against the BVI we may need a little bit more creativity and something that’s a little bit different and special — Ravel certainly got that so we’re delighted with that.”

After being impressed with the team’s performances in the Unity Cup last week McClaren is urging the typical first-team players to continue the momentum ahead of the qualifiers.

“Last week, if you’d seen it off the field, was a little bit of mayhem but credit to the players who came together, joined in, and created a great spirit. So that’s what we expect this week when the likes of Leon, Demi [Gray], Romario [Williams], Lati [beaudiere], [Andre] Blakey, Jahmali [Waite] and Tyreece [Campbell] come into the squad,” he said.

“We want them to raise the bar. That’s what we said last week and this is what we’ll say this week. We have to raise the bar to get close to US, Mexico and Canada.”

English-born Tyreece Campbell, winger for Charlton Athletic, is the only new name in the squad. Five locally based players also made the cut, including Cavalier’s Richard King and Dwayne Atkinson.

Brentford’s Ethan Pinnock, Leicester City’s Bobby Reid and Sheffield Wednesday’s Dishon Bernard are among the notable absences.

McClaren’s men play away to BVI on Saturday before hosting Guatemala on Tuesday at the National Stadium. Jamaica are currently in pole position to make it to the final round of qualifying as they sit on second in Group E on six points, with the top two guaranteed a spot.

Goalkeepers- Andre Blake, Shaquan Davis, Jahmali Waite

Defenders – Damion Lowe, Richard King, Kyle Ming, Dexter Lembikisa, Amari’i Bell, Greg Leigh, Mason Holgate, Joel Latibeaudiere

Midfielders – Isaac Hayden, Kasey Palmer, Ravel Morrison, Jon Russell, Dwayne Atkinson

Forwards – Leon Bailey, Demarai Gray, Renaldo Cephas, Kaheim Dixon, Warner Brown, Rumarn Burrell, Tyreece Campbell, Romario Williams

Reggae Boyz striker Shamar Nicholson (Photo: @jff_football)