Jamaica's Reggae Boyz could face a much tougher than expected challenge, when they tackle Nigeria's Super Eagles at 2:45 p.m. local time tomorrow, at the New Den Stadium in London, following the absence of several key players due to injuries.
Captain Ricardo Gardner, striker Ricardo Fuller, defensive stalwart Ian Goodison and first-string goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts have all been forced out of the squad set to tackle the Nigerians, due to various ailments.
Gardner, who plies his trade for English Premier League team Bolton Wanderers, did not take part in his team's game against Everton on the weekend because of a sore knee and will not recover in time to suit up against the Eagles. Fuller had to be helped from the pitch after an awkward fall in the first half of his team, Stoke City's, weekend matchup against Sunderland, and could be out for up to three months after surgery to repair a shoulder injury.
Pre-season training
Goodison, who was rock solid for the national team during a failed World Cup qualification bid, could also be set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, after sustaining an ankle injury in a recent English League One encounter. While Ricketts, who recently moved to Major League Soccer (MLS) team Los Angeles Galaxy, aggravated a finger injury during pre-season training for his new team.
Jamaica's Reggae Boyz could face a much tougher than expected challenge, when they tackle Nigeria's Super Eagles at 2:45 p.m. local time tomorrow, at the New Den Stadium in London, following the absence of several key players due to injuries.
Captain Ricardo Gardner, striker Ricardo Fuller, defensive stalwart Ian Goodison and first-string goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts have all been forced out of the squad set to tackle the Nigerians, due to various ailments.
Gardner, who plies his trade for English Premier League team Bolton Wanderers, did not take part in his team's game against Everton on the weekend because of a sore knee and will not recover in time to suit up against the Eagles. Fuller had to be helped from the pitch after an awkward fall in the first half of his team, Stoke City's, weekend matchup against Sunderland, and could be out for up to three months after surgery to repair a shoulder injury.
Pre-season training
Goodison, who was rock solid for the national team during a failed World Cup qualification bid, could also be set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, after sustaining an ankle injury in a recent English League One encounter. While Ricketts, who recently moved to Major League Soccer (MLS) team Los Angeles Galaxy, aggravated a finger injury during pre-season training for his new team.