Marksman Shelton a major doubt for Honduras match

Ryon Jones, Sunday Gleaner Writer

Jamaica's leading goalscorer, Luton Shelton, is a major doubt for the Reggae Boyz international friendly against the 53rd-ranked Hondurans, as he is fighting to shake off a right hamstring injury sustained while representing his Turkish club Karabukspor.

It was expected that Shelton, who has netted 31 times for his country, would lead the attacking line, as Jamaica look to stem a string of four consecutive defeats. However, a visit to a specialist on Friday revealed that the injury is severe enough to threaten his participation in Tuesday's encounter.

"He said it is too weak for me to play on Tuesday, so he doesn't think it is worth me playing because it can turn into a big injury," Shelton disclosed to The Sunday Gleaner. "I am not definitely out as yet, I am still with the team, but I will get my treatment and see how the foot responds."

He added: "I am very disappointed, but at the same time I have to look about my health and it doesn't make the team any better if I go out there and play with an injury."

Shelton has been plagued with hamstring problems throughout his playing career due to his explosive style of play, which sees him doing a great deal of running during the course of a game.

The 25-year-old takes representing Jamaica very seriously and therefore decided to report for national duty despite his injury.

"I always take representing the country seriously because it is my national team that has led to me being overseas and if I don't perform here, no one sees me," Shelton expressed.

"I think I play better for my country than I ever play for clubs, so I am always honoured to come and play for my country once they call me," he added.

World Cup dreams

Shelton is desperate to make it to the World cup with the Boyz and believes this is Jamaica's best chance to return to the premier national football competition since the 1998 campaign, as a good team has been assembled.

"I really want to play in the World Cup and I am trying to do everything in my power to help the team towards that goal and score as many goals as I possibly can," the father of two shared. "I want to keep my body in better shape instead of coming here and dealing with cramps and injuries because World Cup qualifying is going to be very important," he added.

Shelton, who hopes to reach the 50-goal mark for the national team, is cognisant of the fact that the team is not playing the most fashionable football currently, but believes the most important thing is that the players are working well together as they try to move the nation's football forward.

LATEST! Shelton has withdrawn from the Reggae Boyz squad for the Honduras match.