Kenwyne Jones set to miss Liverpool match

Sep 30 2009 By Stuart Rayner, The Journal

KENWYNE Jones may have underlined his credentials in the battle for places in Sunderland’s forward line, but his international commitments may hinder the 24-year-old’s chances of facing Liverpool when the Black Cats return to the Stadium of Light.

Jones has been named in Trinidad and Tobago’s squad for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica and Mexico.

As a talismanic figure in the T&T squad, Jones’ call-up is no surprise, but it will cause Steve Bruce problems with an important test of his team’s home form coming so quickly afterwards.

The Soca Warriors take on Mexico in Port of Spain on Wednesday, October 14 local time, or the early hours of Thursday British Summer Time – 62 hours before the Black Cats entertain Liverpool. With Jones unlikely to return before Friday afternoon, it is a match the striker will probably have to watch from the sidelines.

Bottom of their qualifying group after eight games, the Soca Warriors look extremely unlikely to qualify for the next World Cup but still have a mathematical chance, and are anyway entitled to call on their star striker in a scheduled international week.

The fixture clash, though, is bad news for Jones who has been made to sweat on his previously-guaranteed first- team place this season.

Jones was left on the bench when Sunderland played Hull last month, the day after Jones returned from his country’s 1-0 World Cup qualifying defeat to the USA in Port of Spain.

Bruce has made great play recently of his desire to promote competition for places within his squad. At times during his Sunderland career Jones’ work-rate has been called into question and the new manager appears to see the presence of England Under-21 international Fraizer Campbell as a good way of motivating the former Southampton player.

Until last week, Jones had scored in only one game this season – a brace against Blackburn Rovers in August – while Campbell has made the most of his limited opportunities to catch the eye.