Bermudan Smith returns for Reggae Boyz friendly
Published:Friday | March 6, 2020 | 12:15 AM
HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC):
Striker Jonté Smith is set to end his self-imposed six-month international exile by making himself available for Bermuda’s scheduled friendly against Jamaica in Montego Bay next week.
Smith, 25, who plays for promotion-seeking English League Two club Cheltenham Town, has been out of national coach Kyle Lightbourne’s squad since making two substitute appearances during the CONCACAF Gold Cup last summer.
Smith withdrew from the Gombey Warriors’ opening CONCACAF Nations League home and away fixtures against Panama last September as the final details of his deal at Cheltenham were being wrapped up.
His club debut arrived on the same day as Bermuda’s shock 2-0 win over Panama at the Rommel Fernandez Stadium.
Smith is now looking forward to representing his country against Jamaica at the Montego Bay Sports Complex on March 11, assuming the game goes ahead amid growing concern over the coronavirus outbreak, which has already killed more than 3,000 people worldwide.
ROAD TO RECOVERY
“I missed quite a few games for the national team over the last six months,” Smith told the Royal Gazette newspaper.
“However, it’s nice to have a chance to meet up with the national team again, and I’m sure the game time as a collective will help us going forward.”
Smith, on the road to recovery after a throat infection laid him low mid-December, returned to action by coming on as a second-half substitute in Cheltenham’s 2-0 win at Colchester United last Saturday.
“It was nice to be back in the squad after a long spell out,” he said.
“It’s been hard work getting back fit, and I still have a little way to go.
“My match fitness is still a little lacking. However, hopefully I can get some good minutes into my system during the international trip to Jamaica,” added Smith, who is the son of former Bermuda national cricket coach Clay Smith.
Nahki Wells, a striker with Championship club Bristol City, and League Two Cambridge United midfielder Reggie Lambe, are unlikely to make the trip to Jamaica, according to Lightbourne.