Full-back Carlos Edwards has released a statement via the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) regarding his arrest earlier in the week. On Monday, the 32-year-old was charged with driving whilst disqualified and without insurance.
Speaking to the TTFF ahead of last night’s win at Upton Park, Edwards said: "I just want to make it clear that I was not in jail, I am not in jail and I’m getting ready for the game tonight with West Ham.”
The 32-year-old explained that the situation arose due to what the TTFF refer to as "a family emergency” with his wife expecting twins and currently in hospital due to complications.
Edwards said: "My wife is in the hospital at the moment and that’s the reason as she usually has been the one driving me before this.
"Our fingers are crossed that all will be well with her. I will just continue to focus on my football at the moment. I’m in the team for this evening’s game and I’m looking forward to it.”
After last night’s match manager Paul Jewell said he couldn’t talk about the matter: "I have to be careful. Whatever’s gone on, there’s a legal case and I can’t comment. If I knew what was going on I couldn’t tell you, but I don’t know."
But the Blues boss says the 80-times capped Trinidadian’s performance was unaffected:”He’s played his game and he was terrific.”
Edwards is due to appear before South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court on October 10th, which is likely to see him miss Trinidad and Tobago’s World Cup qualifier at home to Barbados the following day and perhaps the October 7th game away to Bermuda.
Earlier in the week, Anton Corneal, Trinidad and Tobago’s assistant coach, said Edwards might have been named captain of the side for those games with regular skipper Kenwyne Jones injured.