AS the Reggae Boyz look to get by Mexico in their Concacaf Nations League quarter-finals, they will have to do so without their captain and goalkeeper Andre Blake who is missing out because of injury.

Blake, who was set to become the eighth player in history to reach 100 appearances for Jamaica, suffered a groin injury during the Philadelphia Union’s 4-1 win over Toronto FC in Major League Soccer (MLS) last Saturday.

The 35-year-old was substituted at half-time with Head Coach Ryan Richter saying he felt discomfort while kicking, though revealing it wasn’t “super serious”.

It’s a blow for Boyz’ Head Coach Rudolph Speid with Blake, one of the region’s top goalkeepers, playing every minute of Jamaica’s last 10 competitive games.

Joshua Grant, 19, who plays for FC Naples in the third tier of American soccer, has been named as Blake’s replacement. Grant was the starting goalkeeper for the national under-20 team that missed out on the World Cup in August.

Jahmali Waite, who plays for Tampa Bay Rowdies in the United Soccer League (USL), is expected to deputise in Blake’s absence, having done so for two games in the final round of the Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers in 2025 and the Copa America in 2024.

However, he’s expected to receive competition from Amal Knight, who served as Blake’s number two during the four Nations League group stage games in September and October.

Speid will also have to do without winger Tyreece Campbell and midfielder Kevon Lambert who picked up injuries on club duty at the weekend.

Campbell was substituted in the 87th minute during Charlton Athletic’s 2-1 win over Sheffield United in the English Championship while Lambert was replaced after 65 minutes in Louisville City’s 3-2 win over Miami FC in the USL Playoffs.

Mount Pleasant forward Daniel Green has been confirmed as Campbell’s replacement. Racing United’s Tajay Grant, Portmore United’s Ramone Howell and Cavalier’s Jeovanni Laing, who joined the national camp this week, are all currently in the mix to replace Lambert and other potential injured players.

After an activation session on Monday, Speid and his technical staff conducted their first training session at Stadium East on Tuesday morning.

They’re expected to have further training sessions today, Thursday and Friday ahead of their 8:00 pm kick-off against Mexico on Saturday.