Town look set to turn down a request from Trinidad and Tobago for the release of skipper Carlos Edwards for the Digicel Caribbean Football Union Cup next month. The eight-team tournament in Antigua runs from December 7th-16th, outside FIFA’s designated international weeks having originally been scheduled for June and July.

Joining the Soca Warriors for the competition would see Edwards miss Town’s home fixture with Millwall and the game at Leeds, something Mick McCarthy would seem hugely unlikely to allow.

Trinidad and Tobago face Haiti, Antigua and Barbuda and the Dominican Republic in the group stages of the tournament with four teams ultimately qualifying for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Town recently turned down a request for Edwards to play in qualifying games for the competition, although coach Hutson Charles claims this was down to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation contacting the Blues too close to the games: “We sent the request to Ipswich late the last time out, but in fact as we speak now we are sending out the letters to the clubs of the players and we expect to get replies with the next week.”

However, two of those three games also clashed with domestic fixtures and were outside FIFA’s window and Town almost certainly wouldn’t have released Edwards however soon they had been contacted.

The 34-year-old, who has recently switched back to right midfield from right-back with Town, has been capped 82 times by his country, scoring four goals.

Meanwhile, academy schoolboy Cemal Ramadan is in action for the Republic of Ireland U16s in their second friendly against Estonia in Dublin this morning. On Tuesday the Blues striker scored both goals in a 2-0 Irish victory.

Photo: Action Images

alfromcol added 09:26 - Nov 22 Just shows that big McC sees Carlos as a more important part of the team than Tommy Smith!
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PhilTWTD added 09:37 - Nov 22 Smith's calls have been for games on FIFA dates, I suspect the same would be the case if New Zealand wanted him for the dates above.
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Metcalfe added 10:28 - Nov 22 Let the boi play. He has done se much for that country and really put them on the map. I have been there ate there is posters of him everywhere. He is a national treasure. Carlos for president!
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NickITFC added 11:53 - Nov 22 Metcalfe. Really?
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Hong_Kong_Bluey added 12:47 - Nov 22 Reading the board this morning, Metcalfe makes this board feel like im in a parallel universe. Very good
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Metcalfe added 16:32 - Nov 22 NickITFC yes really
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Talbs77 added 19:42 - Nov 22 Quite right we should turn them down!! What the hell do were hese countries thinking?! In the most busiest part of the season, they decide to set up a tournament against each other, for what?! Its not world cup qualification! Were his employers, he's club captain and playing well after being put back on the right of midfield. Tell them were to go!! Anyway I thought he'd retired?!

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algarvefan added 01:19 - Nov 23 Why do people on here keep having a pop at Tommy Smith, I think he's going to be a top player for us but as usual fans don't cut any of our younger players any slack ! We will do nothing as a club unless we bring on our better youngsters and give them a chance, rahter that than a load of loanee journeymen who couldn't give a feck!!!
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