Wood’s outstanding end to season form and the individual performances of both Ricky Shakes and Sam Cox has led to the midfield duo being called up into the Guyana National side’s World Cup training camp.
Shakes is no stranger to international football having played for the Golden Jaguars on ten occasions previously, his last though coming some three years ago.
Shakes made his international debut back in 2011 in a 2-0 away victory over the Bahamas. His first of two international goals came in his second appearance getting the only goal for his side in a 1-1 draw against Bermuda.
Joining Shakes at the training camp is his midfield friend and colleague Sam Cox, who will be looking to impress Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz following his first call up to the National team.
They will be joined by other English based players at the training camp and they are Neil Danns of Bolton Wanderers, Matthew Briggs of Millwall and Marcel Barrington of Premier League Leicester City.
Asked about the players coming back into the squad and those in the squad for the first time bring , Shabazz said “you cannot build a house on some bricks that a man promised you. When they get here, how they adapt to the team tactics and overall strategy will determine what they bring to the set-up. What we know for sure is they’ve all got good foot-balling ability but now talent is not enough, we need talent plus players and I am proud that Guyana is reaching that stage to demand that players bring more than just talent,”
The duo will be hoping to force their way into Jamal Shabazz’s side for their June 10 and 14 World Cup Qualifiers against St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Wood manager Ian Allinson said “As a club we’ve come a long way in recent years and these lads have helped us on that journey. The whole club from the chairman to kit manager are thrilled for both Ricky and Sam. We wish them well as International recognition at any level is fantastic but in these two, it is just reward for players who work hard, are dedicated and as such their talent deserves to be recognised”..
