JFF still wants Morrison – Ricketts
PRESIDENT OF the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Michael Ricketts says the federation is still interested in securing the services of former Manchester United and West Ham midfielder Ravel Morrison for the Reggae Boyz.
Morrison, who played for England at the youth level, was called up by head coach Theodore Whitmore for the CONCACAF Nations League match against Suriname in November last year, but the 25year-old did not accept the invitation, raising doubts at that point about his interest in representing the country.
Ricketts, however, stated that the player is still very much committed to Jamaica and shared that he was unable to honour the invitation for the Suriname game because of a number of factors, including injuries.
“I understand that he had changed clubs and had a few injuries, so he was not able to make the trip for the last game against Suriname,” Ricketts told The Gleaner yesterday. “I know he is keen on playing, and we are still tracking his progress because we are going to need him for the next game.”
The Reggae Boyz are scheduled to play El Salvador in their final group-stage game of the CONCACAF Nations League on March 23 in the Central American country, and Ricketts is hoping the much-travelled Morrison will be available for that fixture.
“The Central Americans can be really tough at times, especially when the game is being played there (Central America), so we would welcome his presence in the side,” said Ricketts. “In fact, I am going to try to make contact with him before the week ends because he is very important to what we are trying to do.”
Morrison earned a reputation as one of England’s most promising youngsters after rising through the ranks at the Manchester United Academy. He signed to West Ham before playing on loan at several clubs, eventually transferring to Italian outfit Lazio. He most recently featured on loan from Lazio in the Mexican top flight with Atlas, with rumours suggesting that the Italians are looking to terminate the midfielder’s contract.
Morrison was recently tracked by Swedish side Ostersunds.