Is Harbour View maestro unfairly left out of national programme?

Ryon Jones, Staff Reporter

Harbour View's midfield maestro Jermaine Hue does not believe he has been given a fair run in the national football programme, despite constant calls for his inclusion in certain quarters.

Hue's performances in the opening four rounds of the 2012/2013 Red Stripe Premier League has sparked suggestions that he should be included for the team's crucial World Cup qualifiers against Guatemala and Antigua and Barbuda on the 12th and 16th of next month, respectively.

"I have been dropped and overlooked even though I am doing well, but I am just putting my mind to continue playing well," Hue toldStar Sports.

Playing in a more advanced role for Harbour View this season, Hue is currently the league's joint-leading scorer with three goals and has conjured up numerous goalscoring opportunities for his teammates.

A common argument used to object to Hue's inclusion by critics of the player is his age, with the midfielder now 34 years old, predictably he does not agree.

"People have a problem with age in Jamaica, but everywhere else in the world age doesn't really count, as long as you are doing well," Hue said.

Globally, there are players in Hue's age bracket that are still performing at the top level for both club and country. Italy's Andrea Pirlo, who is 33 years old, emerged as one of the top performers at Europe 2012 and 32-year-old Xavier 'Xavi' Hernandez continues to be a key player for Spain and Barcelona.

Hue, who last donned the national colours in a friendly against Cuba in February, is viewed by some persons as the remedy to the constant cry for a more creativity to complement the hard-tackling Rodolph Austin and steady Jason Morrison, especially with Keammar Daley having lost his place in the squad.

"In the back of my mind, the national team is there, but my club comes first and I am just working hard for the betterment of the team and of the club, but if the call comes up then that is just an added bonus," Hue said. "I can only put myself out there and play well, express myself on the field, I can't call myself to the national team.

It is always a privilege for me to play for my country so I always keep fit, keep focused and stay willing should the call should come along."