Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

René Simoes ... dreams without risks are like conquests without merits. - File

NATIONAL TECHNICAL director René Simoes has stuck to his word in relation to including fewer overseas-based players for Jamaica's World Cup qualifier against Canada, as only 10 have been selected for the August 20 encounter in Toronto, Canada.

Hull City striker Marlon King will not be the only notable omission when the national team kicks off a tough semi-final round. King's starting partner up front for the past couple of friendlies, Ricardo Fuller of Stoke City, and Barnsley midfielder Jamal Campbell-Ryce have also not been included in the squad.

Fuller has only recently recovered from a knee injury sustained while on international duty two months ago, but he suited up for Stoke last week in a 2-2 preseason draw at home with Spanish team Osasuna.

Jamaica captain Ricardo Gardner (Bolton Wanderers) leads the overseas-based contingent of players which also includes Tyrone Marshall (Toronto FC), Rudolph Austin, Demar Phillips (Stoke City), Luton Shelton (Valerenga), Ian Goodison (Tranmere), Andy Williams (Real Salt Lake), Omar Cummings (Colorado Rapids) and Deon Burton (Sheffield Wednesday).

The predominantly local-based squad will feature the return of creative midfielder Jermaine Hue. Despite many feeling that the player deserved a place in the programme, Hue, now 30, had not been called to the national squad since February of this year.

Following Jamaica's 0-0 draw with El Salvador in a friendly international last month, the technical director warned that fewer overseas-based players would be used for the encounter. At a training session for the national team yesterday, Simoes gave another vote of confidence to the local Boyz.

"The players have been excellent so far, they behave well, practice very hard and I think that we have a lot of talent available," he said.

"We have to establish some way of playing, when you have so many players. Coming from abroad, England, Norway, they come with different styles; it all depends on their coach," Simoes said.

"It's difficult for them to adjust when they arrive two or three days before the game," he said.

A risk

While admitting that including somewhat untested local-based players in the crucial qualifying round is a risk, Simoes said it is one that he is willing to take.

"It is a risk either way if you use too many overseas players or local players, but I believe that the players are talented enough," he said

"Dreams without risks are like conquests without merits," he added.

The Jamaicans face a very tough road to the final round of the World Cup qualifiers as the semi-final round will, in addition to Canada, see them match up against Mexico and Honduras in the CONCACAF 'Group of Death'. Mexico are currently the region's second-ranked team, behind the United States, while Honduras are third and Canada, fifth. The Reggae Boyz are in 11th place.

The team will travel to Brancourt in Clarendon today where it will face Premier League champions Portmore in a practice game at 4:00 p.m.

The squad: Goalkeepers - Donovan Ricketts, Shawn Sawyers. Defenders - Tyrone Marshall, Ian Goodison, Keneil Moodie, O'Brian Woodbine, Demar Stewart, Demar Phillips, Jermaine Taylor. Midfielders - Rudolph Austin, Davion Thorpe, Evan Taylor, Jevaughn Watson, Jermaine Hue, Ricardo Gardner, Wolry Wolfe.

Forwards - Deon Burton, Luton Shelton, Omar Cummings, Andy Williams.