Jewell hoping defensive duo come through without injury
Wednesday 19 November 2008
Paul Jewell has his fingers crossed that Derby County defenders Lewin Nyatanga and Claude Davis return from international duty unscathed.
Both are in action for their countries tonight only a few days ahead of the Rams’ trip to face Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Saturday.
With injured pair Martin Albrechtsen and Dean Leacock set to miss the Ipswich game, Nyatanga and Davis are the current first choice centre-backs available to Jewell.
They have started the last two matches against Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday but will only join up with the Rams’ squad on Friday.
Nyatanga is with Wales for their friendly in Denmark and is due to report back to Moor Farm on Friday morning.
Davis is expected to start Jamaica’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Canada in Kingston. The match kicks off at 1am BST tomorrow morning and he flies back into the country on Friday morning.
“It’s not ideal preparation for a game on Saturday,” said Jewell. “We have to wait to see if they come back fit or injured.”
Derby have two other players on international duty.
Kris Commons is in Scotland’s squad for the friendly against Diego Maradona’s Argentina at Hampden Park and Mile Sterjovski is with Australia for their World Cup qualifier in Bahrain.
“Even though it’s a free week for us without a midweek game, it’s a bit of a nightmare waiting to see if the players on international duty return unscathed.”
Davis played for Jamaica in their last two qualifiers against Mexico and Honduras, when victories helped to keep the Reggae Boyz hopes of reaching the 2010 finals alive.
Now they must beat Canada in their final group game and hope for a favourable result in the match between Honduras and Mexico.
Jamaica have seven points, two behind Honduras and three behind leaders Mexico. The top two will progress from the semi-final round to a final qualifying group.
Jewell has added his voice to the mounting criticism of playing friendly internationals at this time of the season.
Jewell is not impressed by the timing of the friendlies and believes if governing federations were asked to pay the players’ wages while they are on duty for friendly internationals, their number would be reduced.
“It is madness,” he said.
“You accept players playing for their country in a qualifier but meaningless friendlies when many of the players have already been playing in Champions’ League, Premier League and cup matches?”
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