JFF gives up Sterling chase

Ryon Jones, Staff Reporter

Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president, Captain Horace Burrell, will no longer seek to lure exciting young talent, Raheem Sterling, to represent the country after being assured by England manager, Roy Hudgson, that the winger is a part of his plans.

Sterling, at 17 years and 342 days, became the fifth youngest player to represent the Lions after turning out for England’s senior men’s national team today in an international friendly against Sweden.

He is, however, still eligible to represent Jamaica as it was not an official match.

Burrell, who is currently in London, had intended to try and pursued the Liverpool starlet to join the Reggae Boyz squad, but after talking to Hudgson in person, is satisfied that Sterling’s future is in good hands.

Sterling joined Queens Park Rangers (QPR) academy when he was 10, before moving to Liverpool at the age of 15 in February 2010. He has played in 10 of Liverpool's 11 Premier League games this season, scoring his first senior goal in the 1-0 victory over Reading on 20 October.

His form for his club prompted England’s manager, Roy Hudgson, to call him up for the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine in September, but he did not play. He previously represented England at the under-16, under-17 and under-21 levels.

Like our new Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/gleanerjamaica

Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/JamaicaGleaner

sports@gleanerjm.com