Bell excited for Reggae Boyz return

Having been sidelined for months due to a hamstring injury he suffered in March this year, Reggae Boyz defender Amari'i Bell is delighted to make his return to the national squad ahead of Friday's clash against Cuba in the Concacaf Nations League.

Bell, of current English Championship club Luton Town, had an unfortunate end to his 2023/2024 club season after being forced off the pitch with a hamstring injury during an English Premier League fixture against Aston Villa.

The defender described his time on the sidelines as a rough patch in his career but is ready to make his return to international duty.

"It's been a long time now but I'm happy to be here. It was a big injury, one of my first in my career so mentally it was hard to get back in a good place, but it's been a while now and I've went through the rough patch but I'm feeling good and I'm in good spirits."

Bell missed out on the latter stages of the Concacaf Nations League where Jamaica finished third, as well as the 2024 Copa America.

He had been working towards returning to the squad in time for the Copa America tournament, but despite being named in the team's squad, he was ruled out of competition.

Bell, 30, described the lost experience as a stepping stone as he prepares for his return.

"I was gutted I couldn't be there for the celebrations and stuff as it was a proud moment for everyone and obviously even participating in the Copa America was great. Unfortunately, we didn't do as well as we thought we could have but yeah, it's stepping stones."

He is hoping to make a good impression on his return under the guidance of new head coach Stephen McClaren.

It will be his first appearance for Jamaica since he featured against Haiti in September last year but Bell has already featured in four English Championship games in the 2024-25 season for his club Luton.

He is hoping for a good start to Jamaica's Nation's League campaign as the Boyz face off against Cuba and Honduras in League A.

"Obviously, the plan is go to one step better this time and win it. That's the plan so there is no reason why we can't do it. Everyone believes in ourselves and what we can do so we're going to go for it," Bell said.

Jamaica face Cuba on Friday at the National Stadium before an away fixture against Honduras the following Tuesday.