Jones determined to be a regular for Trinidad

11:54am Wednesday 19th November 2008

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KENWYNE Jones has dismissed suggestions that he should not be involved in this evening’s World Cup qualifier in Trinidad, and warned Sunderland officials he will be representing his country at every available opportunity.

Despite returning from a serious knee injury only three weeks ago, Jones has travelled more than 7,000km to represent Trinidad & Tobago in a World Cup qualifier against a Cuba side that have lost four of their five group games.

The Sunderland striker has not played for his country since rupturing his knee ligaments in June’s friendly with England, and had been expected to sit out this evening’s match after starting two games in the space of four days for the Black Cats.

Roy Keane has clashed with the Trinidad & Tobago FA in the past, and while he was unable to prevent Jones returning to his homeland this week, the Sunderland boss had hoped the 24-year-old would be used sparingly.

That now looks unlikely, and having declared himself available for tonight’s Port-of- Spain qualifier, Jones has warned Keane to expect further international appearances in the future.

“I don’t ever want to look back on times in my career where I’ve had the opportunity to play and not done it, and say, ‘Well I should have done that’ or ‘I should have listened otherwise’,” said the striker.

“People have their opinion, and everyone seems to have an opinion on when and why things should happen. But I just wanted to get back and get a feel for things.

“At this point in time, I need the games, and it’s only going to help me. It gives me a chance to fall back in the eyes of the public and get familiar with my team-mates again.”

Trinidad & Tobago will qualify for the final stage of Concacaf World Cup qualifying if they claim a point from tonight’s game, and with Dwight Yorke and Carlos Edwards also having travelled to Port-of-Spain, Jones is expecting the Soca Warriors to take a giant step towards the 2010 finals in South Africa.

“I think we have a very good chance (to qualify),” he said.

“Once we have a full-strength team, we have the capability to do anything. Once the confidence is there, we have enough talent and experience to take Trinidad & Tobago to higher heights.”

Jones, Yorke and Edwards are three of seven Sunderland players on senior international duty tonight. Marton Fulop and David Healy will line up against each other for Hungary and Northern Ireland respectively, while Liam Miller is in the Republic of Ireland squad that entertains Poland.

Teemu Tainio completes the contingent – the Finnish midfielder takes on Switzerland in St Gallen – and having struggled with a series of niggling shoulder problems since leaving Tottenham in the summer, is happy to finally be injury-free.

“The little injuries have really hampered me,” said Tainio. “That has been the worst thing for me so far at Sunderland. I got injured in the first game and when I came back, I got injured again.

“It’s been frustrating having to watch the games from the stand, but I’m fit now and I’ll work hard to make sure I get my place in the team.

“We have a lot of competition for places in midfield and everyone wants to play.

“I’ve enjoyed my time here - the only problem is not playing as much as I would have liked to. But I’ve got a chance now and I have to take it.”