Morrison closer to Reggae Boyz debut
President of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), Michael Ricketts, said former Manchester United and West Ham United midfielder Ravel Morrison could make his debut for the Reggae Boyz against Cayman Islands in the CONCACAF Nations League at the National Stadium on September 9.
Ricketts told STAR Sports that Morrison has received his Jamaican passport and he is now up for selection ahead of next month’s encounter against the Cayman Islands.
“He has been in Jamaica for the past month and he will be available,” said Ricketts. “He came to Jamaica some months ago and he came into my office and we discussed what his intentions were.”
“He really wants to play for the country and he has subsequently received his Jamaican passport and he is now ready to represent us,” said Ricketts, while adding that he has not seen much of Morrison in action. “I don’t know too much about him, but based on reports, I actually think he is a good player.”
“I am hopeful and I do believe that he will play (next month), but that is going to be the coach’s call. He will be available for selection,” Ricketts
Olympic 400m hurdles finalist Leah Nugent will be coached by noted Jamaican hurdles coach Lennox Graham ahead of the new season.
Nugent, who up to recently was being conditioned by Edrick Floreal in Kentucky, says her experience with Graham when both were on national duty at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro was a major factor behind her decision.
The 25-year-old, who has brought an early end to her 2018 season, says she is looking forward to working with Graham and is confident that he will help her to achieve her ambitions of medalling at the next major championships, after having to coach herself over the past few weeks.
“We (Graham) connected well in 2016 at the Rio Olympics. I said. “I think he could make a positive impact on the team.”
The 25-year-old Morrison, who currently plays at Atlas Guadalajara in Mexico’s Liga MX on loan from Italian club Lazio, has netted three goals in 18 appearances so far this season. The midfielder made his senior debut for Manchester United as an 18year-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.