Matt still awaiting JFF invite

Twenty-nine year old Newport County striker Jamille Matt appeared on Jamaica's radar after scoring a crucial goal to put former English Premier League champions Leicester City out of the Emirates FA Cup in January.

The Maverley-born man, who has been living in England since age 10, has scored 19 goals so far this season and a win tomorrow against Morecambe will secure a play-off spot for promotion into the English League One. In his last interview with STAR Sports in January, he said that he would love to be considered for international selection.

Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president Michael Ricketts said anyone with the required talent and quality is welcome to play for the Reggae Boyz, as long as they are eligible for selection.

Ricketts and national senior men's football team head coach Theodore Whitmore recently travelled to England to speak with potential recruits, but no discussions took place with Matt.

JFF general secretary, Dalton Wint, says that although Ricketts is open to Matt's invitation, it is ultimately Whitmore's say on who gets called.

"Players can only say that they are interested and the JFF," Wint told STAR Sports. "From our administrative style, it's based on the request of the coach. But the coach has to make that request for that player. Sometimes, maybe the player is interested, but we have two or three persons in that position of equal quality. I don't know (if that's the case) though, I'm just saying.

"A process has to take place. If you want to bring somebody here, they can't start running up and down until you have the documents to ensure that they are fully qualified before we invite them."

Matt said that he is still hopeful for discussions.

"I can't affect his (Ricketts) decisions," he said. "So if he didn't choose to meet with me, that's out of my control. I just got to keep concentrating on what I can affect and that's playing well for Newport, as I've done all season."

But Wint said that the chance still exists for Matt's inclusion for this summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament.

"I would have to check with Roy (Simpson, team manager) to see if he's there, because we're preparing a list of 40," he said. "Some names might slip through. But we have a list of about 40 that we want to send off (to be considered for an invitation) that is due maybe next week, or in a week and a half."