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Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team playmaker Keron “Ball Pest” Cummings will be out of action for at least 10 months, after he underwent surgery this morning at the Port of Spain General Hospital.
(Courtesy CONCACAF)
The operation was performed by Dr Marlon Mencia and hospital staff and observed by Orlando-based Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) medical consultant Dr Mario John.
Cummings was shot in his leg on Sunday during an assault outside his home in Diego Martin. The attack left the 27-year-old North East Stars midfielder with a fractured thigh bone or femur.
John, who is an orthopaedic surgeon, told the TTFA Media that a rod was placed into Cummings’ femur to stabilise the fracture. And, due to his level of fitness and the success of the surgery, he could return to the playing field in 10 months once the rehabilitation process goes well.
Cummings was expected to play a key role in Trinidad and Tobago’s 2016 Copa America Centenario qualifier against Haiti on January 6 before joining United States Major League Soccer (MLS) team, Orlando City, immediately after.
Instead, his injury means he will be out for the season and will miss the rest of Trinidad and Tobago’s semifinal qualifying round of the Russia 2018 World Cup campaign.
(Copyright Nicholas Kamm/AFP 2015)
Cummings said he was relieved to be alive, though.
“Firstly, I want to thank the Almighty Lord for bringing me through this (and) I am relieved at the moment,” Cummings told the TTFA Media. “I would like to thank my family and teammates, the national team management and the TTFA for their support over the last few days.
“This was a very difficult time in my life but I am thankful that, with rehab, I will be able to make a comeback.”
Cummings was visited by TTFA president David John-Williams and other members of the “Soca Warriors” during his hospital stay and John-Williams thanked Mencia for the treatment and care provided to the national player.
Trinidad and Tobago coach Stephen Hart also expressed pleasure with the outcome of this morning’s operation.
(Copyright AFP 2014/Rich Schultz)
“This is very good news for the player and also for us,” said Hart. “We have kept him in our prayers and we are thankful for the outcome.
“He will have our support throughout this and it is important now that the follow-up care and the rehab process goes well for him.”
The Warriors train at 6 pm this evening at the Hasely Crawford Stadium and then from 8 am tomorrow at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, as they continue preparations for next week’s clash with Haiti.
Central FC goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams is expected to wear the armband for the Copa America play off and he said the team is focused despite the sad news.
“We’ve had a good few sessions so far,” said Williams. “The boys have responded well and everyone is working hard and remaining focused. Obviously the news about Keron was sad and it was a blow to the team. But we continue to have him in our prayers and we are glad to know he will be okay.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
“Generally, we are staying focused and trying to ensure we are ready as possible for the game against the Haitians.”
The Trinidad and Tobago squad to face Haiti is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Jan-Michael Williams (Central FC), Marvin Phillip (Morvant Caledonia United), Adrian Foncette (Police FC);
Defenders: Daneil Cyrus (W Connection), Justin Hoyte (Dagenham & Redbridge—England), Carlyle Mitchell (Seoul E-Land—South Korea), Radanfah Abu Bakr (HB Koge—Denmark), Yohance Marshall (Murcielagos FC—Mexico), Mekeil Williams (Antigua GFC—Guatemala), Aubrey David (Deportivo Saprissa—Costa Rica);
From left are Sheldon Bateau, Daneil Cyrus, Joevin Jones, Kevan George, Radanfah Abu Bakr and Mekeil Williams.
(Copyright AFP 2015/Johan Ordonez)
Midfielders: Andre Boucaud (Dagenham & Redbridge—England), Khaleem Hyland (KV Westerlo—Belgium), Kevan George (Unattached), Neveal Hackshaw (North East Stars);
Attacking Midfielders: Trevin Caesar (Austin Aztex—USA), Cordell Cato (San Jose Earthquakes—USA), Lester Peltier (Slovan Bratislava—Slovakia), Joevin Jones (Chicago Fire—USA), Rundell Winchester (Portland Timbers II—USA), Jomal Williams (W Connection), Ataulla Guerra (Central FC);
Forwards: Jonathan Glenn (Breioablik—Iceland), Shahdon Winchester (W Connection);
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Staff: Stephen Hart, Hutson Charles, Derek King, Michael Maurice (goalkeeper coach), David Muhammad (manager), Peter Rampersad (manager), Dr Terrence Babwah (doctor), Dave Isaac (therapist), Tobias Ottley (fitness trainer), Saron Joseph (trainer), Michael Williams (equipment manager), Shaun Fuentes (press officer).
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No need for the indepth analysis and investigations. Just ask Keron who shot him and why. The Police can’t act as they would like to because at times it is the victim who stalls the investigation….nuff said.
I pray him a speedy recovery in Jesus name.
That is the nonsense. Quite sad. Jealousy really kills!
Wow!!…smh….I hope he could make a full recovery….
10 months is almost a year! I just play small goal with my friends and get frustrated when I’ve been injured for a few weeks, so for a professional 10 months will seem like an eternity, so I hope he gets the support he needs, perhaps Kevin Molino could offer him some advice.
It is so sad. A whole season off at 27? But I hope he recovers and gets back to his best soon.
And the shooter has not been arrested yet because…? If this were America, his picture done all over on CNN
We don’t even know who shot Selwyn Richardson and you want to find out who shot Keron Cummings? 🙂
Thank God the boy’s alive.
A team official gave an interview on i95.5 fm in which he alluded that the shooter is known in the community. If the police don’t kjow, it’s because they don’t want to know ?
Lasana Liburd who shot Biggie and Tupac?
That little thing call evidence maybe why he has not been picked up.
the official alluded that the evidence is there. I dunno. Was Cummings sleeping when he was shot? Lasana Liburd ask these questions
The official can say anything. The inept police should be asked at their next press conference about it
From what was report these are some of the evidence I think should be examined; 1. the girlfriend of Mr. Cummings 2. Her description of the alleged shooter 3. Others in the community that may have seen the person (s) of interest before during and after the incident 4. Cummings himself (any threats, arguments, confrontations with others that he think might want to hurt him) 5. The crimes scene itself (footprints, bullet shells, the car to see if the perp touched it and left finger prints) 6. Which is really important THE BULLET casing that was potentially lodged in my baller/partner Cummings’s gifted leg. But is Trini so most of this ain’t gonna happen. #blessed
And yet we want to spend millions on OPVs? What is the sense if the operators are ignoramuses. I say cut down the whole MoNS. Not just 7%.
To be very honest, there are some cases where the victims are not very cooperative either because of fear or other reasons. Particularly when the assailant and victim live in the same area and know each other.
I don’t expect an arrest in this case.
..Good news for all concerned. Here’s to a speedy and complete recovery..