March 19 – Jamaica have dropped in-form Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey from their Nations League Finals squad.
It is a brave move by Jamaica’s Icelandic coach Heimir Hallgrimsson whose squad face the USA in the semi-final of the 2023/24 edition on Thursday at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Bailey, who has scored eight goals in 16 starts in a standout season for Aston Villa, was dropped along with Trevante Stewart for breaking curfew in the last Jamaica camp.
Losing Bailey leaves a big hole in Hallgrimsson’s attacking options with former Everton winger Demarai Gray and leading goalscorer Shamar Nicholson both in the Jamaica squad but both serving suspensions for the first game against the US.
That leaves a lot riding on the shoulders of West Ham’s Michail Antonio and Fulham’s Bobby Reid. Reid in particular has been having a strong season for Fulham in the Premier League.
Hallgrimsson is also without two other Premier League performers in Brentford defender Ethan Pinnock and Luton’s Amari’i Bell who are both unavailable due to injuries.
He has however called in two new England-based players into his squad, midfielder Karoy Anderson of Charlton Athletic and forward Bailey Cadamarteri of Sheffield Wednesday.
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