Ricardo Gardner

Montesso

KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC):

Jamaica's assistant coach, Alfredo Montesso, says veteran Ricardo Gardner and out-of-favour midfielders Keammar Daley could have a future with the national team, beyond the Caribbean Cup.

Despite not being in the best of shape, Montesso believes the experience of the duo could yet be beneficial as the team prepares to challenge for a spot in the 2014 FIFA World Cup final in Brazil, with the start of the CONCACAF final round, which begins in February.

"Of course, they are not in the best shape," Montesso said.

"But we decided to take this opportunity to have them and to see how we can work with them for the future ... they are positive and bring calmness, maturity and experience," he added.

Gardner, a 1998 World Cup veteran and Daley who plays for English League One club Preston North End, have been included on a 23-man squad, which was due to arrive in the Antiguan capital yesterday.

The back-to-back champions are scheduled to play their first game tomorrow against French Guiana in group B at the Sir Viv Richards stadium.

Martinique and Cuba are the other teams in group B of the Caribbean Cup finals

The recall of 34-year-old Gardner, after a three-year absence, raised eyebrows in some circles since the former Bolton Wanderer's star is without a club and is now a free agent.

Jamaica's 23-man squad also includes schoolboy Alvas Powell and first time invitee Lamar Nelson.

Powell represented Jamaica at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Mexico last year and also captains the Under-20 squad.

Nelson scored a second-half goal to lead the Reggae Boyz to a 1-0 victory over Premier League team Cavalier in a warm-up fixture earlier this week.

An intense one-week training camp climaxed on Wednesday, with a series of routines including, two-touch scrimmaging, set pieces, a vigorous exercise session and a game using the entire pitch.

"We have to give praise to the players, the way they have applied themselves after having a tough season," Montesso said.

"It was a bit difficult earlier in the week with the chemistry as we have some players of the World Cup team who couldn't attend because of injuries, and some players because it's not a FIFA date, but these players know each other very well, and we are very satisfied with the way the week has gone."

The Caribbean Cup finals begin today and run until December 16.

Group A will see hosts Antigua and Barbuda, Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti and the Dominican Republic doing battle.

The four semi-finalists will gain automatic berths to next summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup to be held in the United States.