Jamaica make Leon Bailey decision as Aston Villa sweat over winger's fitness
Leon Bailey picked up a hamstring injury at an unfortunate time, right before he was supposed to return to the Jamaica National Team
Leon Bailey's hamstring injury picked up in Aston Villa's latest match against Leicester City has seen him ruled out of international duty with Jamaica this month.
The 27-year-old was due to make his long-awaited return to the Reggae Boyz squad, now under the management of former England coach Steve McClaren. He hadn't featured for his country since last November due to a suspension from previous boss Heimir Hallgrimsson followed by a self-imposed break.
"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," McClaren said after holding talks with the Villa man. "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.
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"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."
Michael Ricketts, president of the Jamaican Football Federation, also expressed his delight with Bailey 's return, however the wait is due to go on as The Jamaica Gleaner report his absence for the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League fixtures against Cuba and Honduras.
The hamstring issue that caused him to leave the field in the 16th minute last Saturday requires further assessment, with Villa yet to place a timescale on the winger's expected absence. Therefore the September internationals are off limits, and in his place Jamaica have called up Sheffield Wednesday's Jamal Lowe.
Another Villa player to be caught up in a late international squad injury decision is Lucas Digne, though the full-back benefits where Bailey misses out. The French Football Federation have announced his arrival to the national team set-up on Monday night, taking the place of injured Real Madrid counterpart Ferland Mendy, for Nations League fixtures against Italy and Belgium.
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