Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer

Rudolph Austin (front) is tackled from behind by a Waterhouse defender during a Wray and Nephew National Premier League match at the National Stadium on June 19, 2005. - Ian Allen

Had injuries been kind to him, 21-year-old Rudolph Austin would have by now been a fixture in the national football team, but as fate would have it, the Clarendon College graduate has once again seen his dream put on hold by injury and surgery.

Since appearing on the country's football radar in 2004 with his impressive displays for the country's Under-20 team in a tournament in Germany and the Under-20 World Championship qualifications, Austin has been winning convert after convert.

Hailed as the new messiah to fill the sweeper's position for the national team which has been searching without success for the chosen one since the departure of Durrent ÒTatty' Brown, Austin was drafted into the national team for a game against Guatemala in Miami, Florida, in 2004. By all accounts he had started well but his series of misfortunes soon began.

'I was playing in the centre of the defence with Jermaine Taylor and I flipped over a short forward and fell badly on the right side of my back,' explained Austin, who is also comfortable playing midfield or wingback.

That injury kept him out of the game for quite a while. He returned playing towards the end of the season the following year but was soon out again ñ this time with a knee injury.

After months of rehabilitation and being handled with 'kid's gloves', Austin who, was left out of the country's Under-23 squad to allow him more time to recover, travelled with his club Portmore United to the United States for the CONCACAF Club championship match against Club America of Mexico. Not expected to play, he impressed in training and by his own admission pushed himself to play in the game. Though he did not know it at the time, he had already re-injured his knee and aggravated it even further in the game.

'I played on it too early. It was my decision to get back in action so early and I aggravated it training by myself.

'It was a complete Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tear in the left knee. I was doing treatment on it but did not know that I had the ACL tear and played on it in a game against Club America,' explained Austin who had surgery close to five months ago.

Despite playing with an injury, Austin won rave reviews in that game and had a number of agents expressing an interest in representing him.

'Some (agents) wanted me to go straight to the MLS, but Phil Graham was the one to suggest that I do an MRI and when the nature of my injury was discovered he said that he was prepared to wait.

'He had the patience. The others did not stick around after the knee problem so as a result Graham is the one I am with. I signed with him close to five months ago,' stated Austin, who has already discussed opportunities in the Scandinavian countries.

While he rehabilitates and waits for his expected return in October, the positive-thinking youngster continues to keep his eye on his goal of playing professionally abroad and becoming a permanent member of the national team.

'I really love the game. That is why I stick with it. I get a lot of discouragement but I am focused on what I want to do, which is playing abroad professionally and helping my family,' said the last of 11 children for his father, Clifton Sr.

Like anyone else Austin confessed that he has had his low points, but faith in God keeps him going.

'A lot of times the doubt creeps in but I just trust in the Father. He is the truth and the light and whatever is to be will be so I leave it all in his hands.

'With all that I have been through, I still thank him for everything that he has afforded me, so I consider myself fortunate,' he said philosophically.

Besides the Almighty, Austin says he receives inspiration from his siblings.

The athletic six-footer also has an option if a football career eludes him.

'If professional football does not become a reality then it is off to college for me,' said the holder of six CXCs.