‘Teddy’ is still important to Tivoli - Williams

Tivoli Gardens' head coach, Phillip Williams, says that despite his age, veteran midfielder Jermaine 'Teddy' Johnson will have a very critical role to play in the team this season once he is fit to return to competitive action.

The National Premier League competition is tentatively set to kick off on November 14.

The 40-year-old Johnson is still recovering from gunshot wounds after he was shot and injured on election day, September 3.

Williams told STAR Sports that Johnson, who has been a key member of the squad over the years, will not be a starter in the team this season , but he still has a vital role in the club's quest to win the 2020-2021 title.

"We haven't signed any player in the transfer window because we have a lot of talented players coming through our system, and so we are going to add them with Johnson and other senior players at the club," said Williams.

"While his playing time may not be what it was, on and off the field his presence is one that will always be welcomed by the coaching staff and also the junior players who strive on the experience that he brings to the team," he said.

"It doesn't matter your age, because once you are fit and you are able to contribute in a positive way to the team, then you are always going to be a part of the squad. It is up to the individual player to get themselves ready for selection," Williams said.

REGULAR CONTACT

He underlined that he has been in regular contact with Johnson since the incident and was that his recovery has been going well.

"I have spoken to him last Saturday and he is coming on well in terms of recovering from the trauma of the incident," said Williams. "He should start his recuperation in terms of his rehabilitation this week with some light jogging.

"But it is going to take sometime for the wound to heal, and we will give him our full as much as possible," he said.

Johnson, who is a former national player, had stints in the English Premier league with Bolton Wanderers from 2001-2003. He has also represented Bradford City Oldham Athletics and Sheffield Wednesday in the English Championships.