W Connection coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier says there is a “50-50 chance” his ace striker Marcus 'Lobo' Joseph will feature in the 'Savonetta Boys' top-of-the-table T&T Pro League clash with Couva rivals Central FC from 3:30 pm at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella tomorrow.
The 27-year-old T&T forward had been sidelined since picking up a knee injury in the first half of his team’s shock 1-1 draw with last year’s league winners North East Stars on September. 22nd at Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar
“It was a wild tackle,” Charles- Fevrier recalled. “Since then, that has hampered us because we don’t have another centre-forward. We have been forced to use makeshift centre-forwards.
“But we won’t force him if he isn’t ready,” added longstanding W Connection coach, yesterday.
“We will continue to assess him over the next couple of days because he has not been training regularly since the injury. It’s a 50-50 chance at the moment.”
Joseph, one of the leading contenders for the league Golden Boot, has been instrumental in W Connection’s push this season for an unprecedented sixth league title since the turn of the professional era in 1999.
He has scored 18 times in all competitions this season with three of his items a hat-trick scored in a 6-1 triumph over his former employers Central when both sides met in round one in the league on August. 18.
W Connection, though, has drawn three of the four fixtures beginning with the tied result against North East Stars when Joseph failed to continue beyond the break and managed just two points from a possible six in their last two outings against Club Sando and Police FC.
But the 'Savonetta Boys' have maintained their unbeaten league status this season after 12 matches
“We are still on top in the league and that it the most important thing at this stage,” said Charles-Fevrier.
He said, “We just have to solve our problems in scoring. We were in a better situation with Marcus (Joseph) but football is a game of solving problems.”
Although W Connection defeated Central comfortably the last time both teams met, Charles-Fevrier is mindful that no two games are the same. Football is on the day, and on that day we got the better of them. Central is a good team and we cannot dwell on the last game against them or any other team.”
W Connection currently leads the table with 28 points from 12 matches, five points ahead of both Central FC and Police FC with six matches left
But Police can mount the pressure on the front two with a win against fifth-placed San Juan Jabloteh when they lock horns from 8 pm tonight in the second game of a doubleheader at Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva
Morvant Caledonia United, fresh off a disappointing goalless draw against North East Stars, will take on cellar-placed Terminix St Ann’s Rangers in the first game at the Couva venue from 6 pm.
Jabloteh edged Police 2-1 when both sides met in Round One on Aug. 18, but since then the “Lawmen” are undefeated in nine consecutive outings.
Richard Hood’s side must, however, do without suspended talisman Kareem Freitas due to card accumulation.
Freitas has scored 15 times in all competitions this season with nine of the league goals, the same as Club Sando’s Tyrone Charles as the pair trail leading scorers Joseph and Central’s Akim Armstrong who are both on 11 league goals.
On Saturday, North East Stars will host Defence Force FC from 3:30 pm at Larry Gomes Stadium.
The Marabella venue will come alive again on Sunday from 3:30 pm with another highly anticipated clash when two teams loaded with rising talents, Club Sando and Pt Fortin Civic, tangle.
Tonight's Matches
Morvant Caledonia United vs Terminix St. Ann’s Rangers, 6pm at Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.
San Juan Jabloteh vs Police FC, 8pm at Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.
tomorrow's Matches
W Connection vs Central FC, 3:30pm at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.
North East Stars vs Defence Force FC, 3:30pm at Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar.
On Sunday
Club Sando vs Pt Fortin Civic, 3:30pm at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.
Latest Standings
Teams*P*W*D*L*GF*GA*Pts
1. W Connection*12*8*4*0*30*6*28
2. Central FC*12*7*2*3*31*20*23
3. Police FC*12*7*2*3*24*13*23
4. Defence Force*12*6*2*4*28*16*20
5. Jabloteh*12*6*2*4*17*14*20
6. Club Sando*12*5*3*4*22*18*18
7. Morvant Caledonia*12*3*6*3*24*17*15
8. Pt Fortin Civic*12*2*2*8*14*24*8
9. North East Stars*12*1*3*8*11*33*6
10. St Ann’s Rangers*12*2*0*10*6*46*6