‘Don’t leave them out of your plans’
Agent reiterates the availability of Parris, Nicholson for Reggae Boyz duties
KEVIN COWAN, the agent of national footballers, Shamar Nicholson and Kaheem Parris, said both players will be available for national team selection for the Reggae Boyz upcoming friendlies and for the Nations League.
Nicholson, who plays for Russian Club Spartak Moscow and Parris, who plies his trade for Slovenian League leaders, FC Koper, were unavailable to Paul Hall earlier this year.
Nicholson turned down an invitation to the squad for World Cup qualifiers against Mexico, Panama and Costa Rica in January because he needed more time to settle in at his new club, after a move from Belgian club, Charleroi, in January.
Parris was reported to have turned down an invitation to represent the Reggae Boyz in a friendly international against Peru on January 20 after contracting COVID-19.
At the time, interim Reggae Boyz coach, Paul Hall, expressed his disappointment with the pair’s absence but Cowan contends both players had valid reason for being absent and hopes that is now water under the bridge and that the players will be selected for the Reggae Boyz upcoming games.
“Both of them are available for selection,” Cowan declared.
“Paul Hall will make a decision if he needs them in the squad or not. But the ball is in his court. If he deems them good enough, he will call them, if not he will not call them.
“But I expect Paul Hall to be a professional person and if Shamar said he had a personal reason the last time, then I do not think he (Hall) is going to hold a grudge.
“Parris had COVID and had to be absent. So I really hope they are in the next squad,” he said.
BEST SEASON
Nicholson, who passed the 20-goal mark for the season on the weekend, is having his best season in Europe.
While Parris, with 12 goals for Koper, is having an equally impactful season in Slovenia, where he helped his team to the top of the league and into today’s cup final.
Although nothing is guaranteed, Cowan believes the season the two players are having will make it very difficult for Hall to ignore them.
“I do expect both to be there. I think he (Hall) is ready to move forward with his best possible team and if he thinks Shamar is one of the strongest players, then I assume he will include him in the team.
“Parris has been in Europe for three years and he is a maturing player. He is currently fighting for silverware in a quality European league, so there are certain experiences he can bring to the team,” he said.
While Nicholson has already established himself as a reliable international striker, Parris still has to prove his worth at that level, Cowan insists, while adding that the former Cavalier attacker will have to make use of his opportunities.
“International and club football are two different things and he needs to come in and prove he can do it.
“He is hoping to enter into that level and he has to show the coach what he can do and convince him with his play.
“So he needs to show that he can be a regular by his performance. He has to train at a high level and execute the coach’s instructions to be in the team,” he said.