Demarai Gray returns to Reggae Boyz starting line-up for T&T clash
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Demarai Gray has returned to the Reggae Boyz starting line-up after being named by head coach Steve McClaren for Thursday’s Concacaf final-round Group B second-leg qualifier against Caribbean rivals Trinidad and Tobago at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain.
Gray, who returned to English club football with Birmingham City this season after a stint in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ettifaq for the last two seasons, missed the last two Reggae Boyz games due to injury.
Mason Holgate, Jonathon Russell and Rumarn Burrell also returned to the starting team for the game, the second to last in the qualifying series for a place in next year’s FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Team captain Andre Blake retains his place in the goal while Ethan Pinnock, Richard King and Greg Leigh are part of the defence.
Jamaica leads the tables with nine points from four games; second place Curacao who are a point behind are away to last placed and out of contention Bermuda with Trinidad and Tobago in third place on five points.
Jamaica had beaten Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 in their first round game at the National Stadium on September 9th with goals from Bailey Cadamarteri and Russell.
The last time Jamaica met Trinidad in Port of Spain in a World Cup Qualifier on June 20th, 2001, Jamaica won 2-1 with goals from Onandi Lowe and Deon Burton.
Kick-off is set for 7:00 pm Jamaica time.
Starting XI—
Andre Blake, Mason Holgate, Ethan Pinnock, Richard King, Jonathan Russell, Bobby Reid, Isaac Hayden, Renaldo Cephas, Gregory Leigh, Rumarn Burrell, and Demarai Gray.
— Paul Reid