MORRISON AVAILABLE FOR REGGAE BOYZ
... Secures Jamaican passport, could make debut before September
GENERAL SECRETARY of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), Dalton Wint, said former Manchester United and West Ham United midfielder Ravel Morrison could make his debut for the Reggae Boyz later this year.
Wint told The Gleaner in an interview yesterday that England-born Morrison has acquired his Jamaican passport and he is now available for selection to the national team.
“He is eligible to be selected and we have a window in September, but we are hoping to have him before then,” said Wint, who described the development as a boost for the national team.
“It will definitely be a boost for the national team because it is something that the coach wants and it is not just the federation, it is the coach that wants Ravel,” Wint said. “We think that it is a boost to have a person of his calibre, and the experience and exposure that Ravel has will definitely help the programme.”
Morrison was recently invited by the JFF to watch Jamaica’s friendly match against Antigua and Barbuda on March 25 at Sabina Park.
ENCOURAGING
Wint added that the former England youth player, who qualifies to play for Jamaica through his mother, is looking forward to donning the national colours.
“He is excited because he was here for the last game we played at the Sabina Park and what he saw, he felt that this is something that is encouraging and it can help his career, and so he is raring to go,” said Wint.
“Having him will definitely lift our profile because Ravel, at one time, was
matched against the likes of Paul Pogba and Cristiano Ronaldo and so he is an exciting player and we think that this is someone that can add quality to the national programme.
The 25-year-old Morrison, who currently plays at Atlas Guadalajara in Mexico’s Liga MX on loan from Italian club Lazio, made his senior debut for Manchester United as an 18-year-old in October 2011, but it was reported that he had several issues with the club that led to United selling him to West Ham.
Morrison also had disappointing loan spells at Birmingham City, Queens Park Rangers, and Cardiff City before signing for Lazio.
The midfielder has represented England at the Under-16, Under-17, Under-18 and Under-21 levels.