Shaw missing from Girlz squad

The senior women's national team's long-awaited return to competitive play this month will not include national striker Khadija Shaw.

Shaw, 24, is the major omission from the final 23-player squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Nigeria and World champions the United States set to take place on June 10 and 13, respectively in Houston, Texas. The list was released by the Jamaica Football Federation yesterday.

The friendlies are preparation for the World Cup Qualifiers in November as well as marking the team's return to the field after more than a year of inactivity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

National senior head coach Hubert Busby Jr confirmed to STAR Sports that Shaw's club commitments as well as the demands of a long season were factors that led to the decision for her not to be part of this international window. Shaw, who plays for French club Bordeaux, will play their final game of the French Division One Feminine season against Guingamp on Saturday. Training camp for the Girlz is expected to start on Friday and end on Monday which would have seen her miss out on most if not all of the preparation for the games. Additionally, she will be determining her long-term club future as her two-year contract expires at the end of the month.

While Shaw will not be present, the majority of the squad comprises the players who played a part in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup campaign including goalkeeper Sydney Schnieder, defender Allyson Swaby, midfielder Tiffany Cameron, defender Konya Plummer and forward Jody Brown. Five of the 23 are first-time call-ups which include English-based players Drew Spence, Shania Hayles and Rebecca Spencer who all play in the FA Women's Super League. The other two are University of Maryland forward Mikayla Dayes and Satara Murray of FC Austin Elite of the United Women's Soccer league in the United States.