Trinidad and Tobago utility player Neveal Hackshaw has been diagnosed with ‘walking pneumonia’, according to Soca Warriors team doctor Akash Dhanai, and is expected to spend another week on the sidelines before he returns to duty with his employers, Indy Eleven, in the United States second tier.
The 25-year-old Hackshaw played in Trinidad and Tobago’s first four outings at the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup under interim head coach Angus Eve and was rostered to start against Guatemala in their final Group A outing on 18 June. However, he was withdrawn from the squad during the pre-match warm up with his place going to 20-year-old defender Jesse Williams.
Today, a Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) release revealed that Hackshaw has ‘a bacterial infection of part of the lung’, which is described as a mild pneumonia.
“[Hackshaw] encountered discomfort in the chest area during the warm up,” stated a TTFA Media statement. “He was taken to hospital by ambulance after the game. The player is expected to recover and able to resume training within seven days.
“He returned to the team hotel the night of the match and returned to his club in the United States on Monday.”
Trinidad and Tobago’s local-based players and staff are expected to arrive at the Piarco International Airport from 8pm on Wednesday.
Hackshaw, who plays in central defence for his club and featured primarily at left back under former national coach Terry Fenwick, has 23 national senior team caps for the twin island republic with no goals.
He made his senior international debut under coach Stephen Hart in a 1-0 friendly loss to Panama at the Ato Boldon Stadium on 27 March 2015 and has represented his country in two Gold Cup tournaments, without ever advancing beyond the group stage.
Hackshaw was one of four Trinidad and Tobago players to be ruled out of Gold Cup games on medical grounds, along with team captain Khaleem Hyland, midfielder Judah Garcia and left back Triston Hodge.
Unlike Hyland and Garcia, Hodge was not ruled out of the tournament entirely. However, he only played in two full games while he was replaced early in two other outings for a groin injury and ‘mild concussion’ respectively.
Still no word on what was Fenwick’s problem, I presume?
Outside of the purview of the medical people, I suppose…
Welcome back Soca Warriors. They could have beaten El Salvador and Guatemala. We have a good team and coach Eve has his work cut out. Add players for the future now…not later. Get your feeder sources activated eg SSFL and Pro League. We need Tobago’s best also. Normalisation Committee has to work hand in hand . Don’t depend too much on Gov money.. Let’s get creative.Money will come.