BARBADOS will go into Sunday's important World Cup qualifier against the United States in California with nine overseas-based professionals at their disposal.

In a release yesterday, the Barbados Football Association (BFA) named a 19-man squad which they hope will turn around recent disappointing results where Barbados lost friendlies against both Trinidad and Tobago and Bermuda.

The overseas-based players selected are Daryl Ferguson of Real Maryland Monarch of the United States, Marcel McKie of St Albans City FC, Paul Ifill of Crystal Palace, Mark McCammon of Doncaster Rovers, Johnathan Forte of Scunthorpe United, Rommell Burgess of Real Madrid New Hampshire in the United States, Johnathan Nurse of Dagenham & Redbridge in Britain, Alvin Rouse of Galway United in Ireland and Mile Jones.

Jones was previously on the books of English club Haynes and Yeading, but had a trial last month with the L A Galaxy, the team of England's David Beckham, and is looking to ply his trade in the United States.

Newcomer McKie, 23, who has family residing in Free Hill, Black Rock, St Michael, was part of England's Under-19 set-up in 2001, playing beside current England internationals such as Dean Ashton and Jermaine Jenas. He has played throughout England's youth system with eight Under-19 caps and seven Under-20 games, as well as caps at lower age groups.

Although preferring the full-back position, McKie (5 feet, 10 inches) normally plays on the left side of the defence.

McKie, born in Edmonton, Middlesex, began his career at Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur when he was ten years old. He was given his first professional contract there at the age of 17 where he played until the end of the 2006 season.

The other members of the squad are captain Norman Forde, Rommell Brathwaite, John Parris and Brian Neblett, all of Notre Dame, Barbados Defence Force's Gregg Belle, Riverre Williams and Barry Skeete, Youth Milan's Adrian Chase, Weymouth Wales' Malcolm Marshall and Technico's Dyson James.

The squad flew out for the United States yesterday.

Meanwhile the BFA has informed former national players that they can get their passes for the home return leg of the United States/Barbados World Cup qualifier on June 22, at the BFA's office on Monday or Tuesday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Some form of identification must be presented.
(WG)