Changes for Saint Lucia ahead of the CNL window

St. Lucia is in pole position in the 2024-2025 Concacaf Nations League and will be hoping to extend its lead in League B Group B with two home games in the coming days. Having beaten Curaçao and Grenada in Grenada last month, Saint Lucia has six points.

Head coach Stern John's men will play back-to-back games against France's Saint Martin at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground on Friday and Monday as they look to increase the gap ahead of a trip to Curaçao in November.

“We feel good. It is the second block of the Nations League campaign. I think we've put ourselves in a good position so we just have to keep going and stay focused,” John reiterated. “Friday's game will also be an important game because Saint Martin has changed their entire squad and put together a completely new squad. But I think we have enough here to handle them and as long as we keep playing the way we’re playing and being disciplined, I think we’ll be successful.”

Three players who played a big part in the team's success last time out will be missing – defenders Arkell Jude-Boyd, Chris Forino and Janoi Donacien.

Jude-Boyd scored a goal and an assist in the upset win over Curaçao. Forino scored against Grenada. And Donacien anchored the midfield. All three are recovering from minor injuries, as is Reeco Hackett-Fairchild.

“We will really miss her. I think these guys have been great for us,” John said.

He spoke in particular about Forino and Jude-Boyd, both making their debuts, saying: “They came in and played for St Lucia for the first time and they played like they had been here for ten years. I think they will be missed, but we have a lot of players here that can fill the void for these guys. Like I said, we just have to keep going, stick to the plan and focus on what we need to do for Friday.”

John has added four returning players to his squad. Captain and centre-back Terell Thomas is back from injury after missing the September international window. Joshua Solomon-Davies, Cheye Alexander and hat-trick heroine Dominica Poleon are also in the squad.

Three men are about to make their national debut. Yanic Noel is a 22-year-old striker for La Clery but comes from Babonneau. Another striker, Ryan Charles, is 34 years old and plays for Bishop's Stortford in England. Bayan Aman is an exciting 19 year old midfielder from Hendon FC in England.

“I think it’s a good time to play for Santa Lucia,” John reflected. “It’s a good time to also be a St. Lucian and represent St. Lucia. There is excitement all over the island – the gold medal, the cricket team. Many people on the island ask me if we are under pressure to do the same.

“But I think we still have two windows of time ahead of us, so we’ll take it step by step and focus on what we need to do.”

COMPLETE QUAD:

Goalkeeper:

Vino Barclett – Cavalier (JAM)

Lamar Joseph-Johnson – Enfield FC (ENG)

Darren Donaie – Gros Islet (LCA)

Defender:

Melvin Doxilly – Portmore (JAM)

Terell Thomas – Carlisle (ENG)

Alvinus Myers – Portmore FC (JAM)

Shanoi Evans – Chapleton Maroons (JAM)

Sebastien Ribot – Gros Islet (LCA)

Joshua Solomon-Davies – Atherton Collieries (ENG)

Kurt Frederick – Grenades FC (ANT)

Midfielder:

Cheye Alexander – Gillingham (ENG)

Shaquan Nelson – Castries Central (LCA)

Sherman Augustin – Grenades FC (ANT)

Ridel Stanislas – Grenades FC (ANT)

Leaus Henville – Mabouya Valley (LCA)

Lester Joseph – Grenades FC (ANT)

Melvin Aurelien – Gros Islet (LCA)

Bayan Aman – Hendon FC (ENG)

Forward:

Caniggia Elva – (GER)

Ryan Charles – Bishop's Stortford (ENG)

Yanic Noel – La Clery (LCA)

Dominic Poleon – Ebbsfleet (ENG)

Donavan Jn Baptiste – Canary Islands (LCA)