| HYLAND READY TO MOVE UP... FONCETTE RETURNS AFTER ACCIDENT INJURY (updated with video) |
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 Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Khaleem Hyland is gearing up for yet another international appearance for this country as it looks ahead to Sunday’s friendly international against Grenada from 6pm at the Marvin Lee Stadium.
The 18-year-old former Clico San Juan Jabloteh stand out made his debut in January against Puerto Rico and has appeared in each of the following matches against Guadeloupe, El Salvador and Jamaica becoming somewhat of a regular fixture in Francisco Maturana’s team.
Reported to be eyed by Scottish giants Celtic in the past, Hyland, now out of contract with Jabloteh, has been back and forth in the training with English club Portsmouth. And he’s fortunate to be able to be back in the country to play in the upcoming games against Grenada and Barbados with the club eager to have him get the international experience.
View Hyland's Interview
View Video of Team in Training
Now he’s eying an appearance against England on June 1 in Port of Spain four days before he turns 19.
“I feel good being in the team and playing those games have been a good learning process especially against Jamaica.
We played against seasoned professionals so that was a good experience for us. I’m looking forward to the next couple of games to keep learning more. Right now I’m being patient and training hard.. waiting for that break. I’m praying to God to remain injury free and waiting for that game against England on June 1. That’s the big one,” Hyland told TTFF Media.
 “They have released me to come for the games. They are showing interest and I’m also feeling comfortable with Portsmouth at the moment. I hope to start preseason on July 1,” he added.
Hyland remembers looking on at the likes of Kenwyne Jones and Carlos Edwards and now he’s keen on lining up alongside the duo.
“It’s always good to be playing with professionals from your country. Last World Cup I was sitting down watching these guys on my television and now a few years later I can have the chance to play with them. That’s definitely a great thing for players like myself.
“Right now we have to stay focused and we have to remember that Grenada will not come to play easy. They could be a tough bunch as well and they will be coming to get a result in Trinidad. We have to ensure that we don’t let them off easily,” Hyland added.
 Also back in the mix is former National Olympic team goalkeeper Adrian Foncette. He is one of the three goalies along with Marvin Phillip and Glenroy working under goalkeeper coach Michael Maurice. Foncette, in May of 2007 suffered a severe hand injury on being involved in a car accident on his way home from a gym session. Initially doctors were considering the option of amputating the hand but constant treatment and faith has kept him in the game. He has undergone six surgeries since the accident.
Adrian Foncette.
“It’s been a really tough time but thank God I’ve been able to come out of this almost a year later. Some six operations after, four in Trinidad and two in Miami I’m now back. At first they wanted to amputate the arm because I didn’t have any use of the wrist and fingers on my left arm. I have to be really that I can play again. I still have a lot of strengthening to do on the hand itself but I’m looking forward to the whole process,” Foncette said. (April 24, 2008)
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