Jamaica's top forward Marlon King

Captain Horace Burrell, president of the Jamaica Football Federation, said the door is now open for national striker Marlon King to rejoin the Reggae Boyz whenever head coach Theodore 'Tappa' Whitemore decides to call him.

"We are not barring any player from our squad and as it relates to Marlon King, we are about helping to build strong characters within young people; and if one of our members falls out of line, it is our responsibility to help that player," said Burrell on Sunday following the Reggae Boyz 1-0 win over Costa Rica at the National Stadium.

The 30-year-old King was convicted for sexual assault last October, but was released last month after serving just half of an 18-month jail sentence.

"He has already served a hefty penalty for his actions; and, therefore, we should try to rehabilitate him rather than to try and destroy him," Burrell said.

"We must help him to build back his life and this is what we believe in. Football is not only about senior players kicking the ball on the field, but we have to help them in every aspect and in every phase of their lives," said Burrell.

King, who has had disciplinary issues at the national level before, has scored 10 goals in his 18 appearances for the Reggae Boyz so far. King last represented Jamaica in 2008 against Trinidad and Tobago at the National Stadium.

Burrell stressed that it is now up to Whitmore and his coaching staff to select the best 11 players to represent the national team.

"We said that once he served the punishment then certainly, we are not going to make it worse for him and keep him out in the cold," Burrell noted.

"The important thing is that we have the best talent on the field of play; and therefore it is left up to the coach to invite whomever he wants to," Burrell reasoned.

King's contract was cancelled by Wigan Athletic after being convicted; however, he is close to signing a deal with League Championship outfit Coventry City.