JERSEY’S Cimandis Muratti squad has been finalised with 18 players now knowing they are in the running for starting places against Guernsey on Sunday.
Jersey Scottish trio Ryan Lumsden, Ali Santos and Paul Duxbury have not made the squad, Lumsden withdrew because of injury, Santos because of the birth of his second child while Duxbury was the unfortunate player to be omitted.
Jersey manager Dave Kennedy said: ‘Telling someone he has not made it is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.
Paul is one of the most honest players you can ever work with and I’ve given him my reasons.
‘He knows that if he would have been on the substitutes’ bench there would have been little likelihood off him coming on because I’ve gone for offensive players on the bench.
‘Ali has withdrawn because of the new addition to his family while Ryan has pulled out because of an injury.
‘He had an Achilles injury that Jersey Scottish nursed him through the Upton but with all the training recently on the hard grounds it has flared up again and there is no way he could be ready and fit for Sunday.’ Former Muratti captain Lumsden (32) said: ‘I’m gutted, especially after doing all the hard training the squad have been doing.
‘I would have been kidding myself and taking someone else’s place if I’d said I was fit but that would also not be fair to everyone either.’ Sunday’s Muratti at Foote’s Lane in Guernsey kicks off at 2.30 pm.
Jersey squad: Dave Brodie (captain), Paul Aitken, Ross Crick, Scott Devlin, James Scott (all Jersey Scottish); Chris Andrews (Jersey Wanderers); Andrew Bird, Stuart André, Craig Leitch (St Paul’s); Craig Northedge, Russell Le Feuvre (Grouville); Jimmy Styles, Ashley Dodd, John Beatson (Trinity); Kevan Crowell, Peter Vincenti, Chris Conning, Jack Cannon (St Peter).
Article posted on 3rd May, 2007 - 12.00am
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