Aston Villa's Leon Bailey makes U-turn after manager talks
Aston Villa star Leon Bailey has accepted a call-up to the Jamaica national team for their September internationals
Leon Bailey is set to make his return to the Jamaica national team following a conversation with new Reggae Boyz boss Steve McClaren.
The Aston Villa winger has not played for his national team since last November due to a suspension from former head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson and a self-imposed break. Bailey is now set to feature for the upcoming Concacaf Nations League fixtures against Cuba and Honduras next month.
Speaking of his squad selection, McClaren said: "The last player coming back in is an interesting player: Leon Bailey. I know the history. I know what happened. So I picked up the phone and called him a few times. We’ve been in touch and I said ‘what’s the feeling to coming back’.
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“Look, I want the best players. I said that from the beginning. The best players Jamaica can produce. I want them in the team. Well, he is one of the best players.
“We talked about that and playing for Jamaica, and how proud he has been from a youth, from eight years old he has been involved in Jamaican football. He loves his country. That was the first thing he said. ‘I love my country. I am going to represent my country’."
He added: “We talked about now that he is the focal figure, all of these younger players, under-14s, the players in the Caribbean Cup, they are looking up to you. You are the example, the role model, and we want you back in the squad, back in the team.
"We want you back playing for Jamaica. But only if you are committed. Only if you are one hundred per cent committed to the cause, which is World Cup 2026."
President of the Jamaica Football Federation Michael Ricketts added: "Leon actually put it in writing that he is committed and he is willing and ready to play. You can’t ask for anything else.
"Like the coach said, we want to have the best players. Whether you live here or you are from the diaspora, we want to always be competitive on the field of play.
"So we gave the coach the latitude to discuss with the players and make a decision based on the document that was submitted by Leon, and I think the coach is within his right to select Leon."