Sunderland and Trinidad and Tobago striker Kenwyne Jones is expected to be out of any type of training for at least two weeks after suffering a wrist injury in Sunderland's 1-0 loss to Arsenal in English Premiership action on Sunday.
His current situation puts his selection for the June 1 friendly international against England in the balance at the moment. T&T head coach Francisco Maturana is expected to name his squad for the encounter on Thursday.
Jones informed national team management yesterday that his wrist is currently in a hard cast, which he has to keep on for another two weeks and stay away from any kind of training. The wrist will then be placed in a soft cast around May 29 during which he can train ahead of the match versus Fabio Capello's men.
The T&T team go into camp from May 24 while England arrive in Trinidad on May 29.
"We spoke to him on Monday about it. Of course he wants to play the game but the situation is one we have to monitor before making any final decisions," T&T team manager David Muhammad told Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) media officer Shaun Fuentes.
Jones expressed his keenness on lining up for the "Soca Warriors", particularly after seeing the list of names announced by the English FA for the encounter.
England and Chelsea defender John Terry was quoted some weeks ago as rating Jones as the most potent Premiership striker in the air.
"He is a very good player, very hard-working and probably the best in the air in the entire Premier League. He really is that good. All the lads were talking about him afterwards in the dressing room, saying how well he did and how impressive he was," Terry had said after Chelsea played Sunderland.
Sunderland manager Roy Keane said Jones could be out for six weeks but further tests will reveal exactly how long the striker will be out for. The injury was sustained when he took the full force of the ball, according to newspaper reports.
Keane confirmed: "Kenwyne chipped a bone in his wrist and he'll be out for about six weeks. He was a big loss to us here and it's disappointing, but we're fortunate it has happened on the last day of the season when it doesn't really matter."Â
For T&T, it matters, though, and all will hope the big man has a speedy recovery.
In other news from the national team, T&T head coach Francisco Maturana expressed some satisfaction after the 3-0 win over Barbados on Sunday evening.
"Good win yes, but still some areas to work on. We did keep the ball well but we need to do more when we get it. I think the win with the two goals was good in the ending but I want more to happen. I want to see more intensity but also good compact play. I think if we continue to work hard at this it will come. I am not worried but we have to keep on pressing and working more to achieve this," Maturana said.