Midfielder set for early return to Stoke City after surprise Aston Villa call
Stoke City midfielder Daniel Johnson was expected to be on a plane to the United States this week but instead he will be heading back to the Potteries
Daniel Johnson has been left out of the Jamaica squad for Copa America as head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson sprang surprises in his squad announcement.
The Stoke City midfielder, aged 31, had been used from the bench in a 3-2 World Cup qualifying win over Dominica on Sunday and had started a 1-0 win over Dominican Republic last Thursday. But he was not included when a 26-man squad to head to the United States was announced overnight at Usain Bolt’s Tracks and Records.
There were call-ups for winger Demarai Gray, now with Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq, and Brentford defender Ethan Pinnock, who had both missed recent action due to injury while captain and keeper Andre Blake is summoned despite surgery which will rule him out until the latter part of the tournament, if Jamaica are still involved.
But the biggest shock was the inclusion of Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey, who has all-but retired from international football. The 26-year-old was suspended for allegedly breaking curfew during an international camp last November.
Bailey’s agent Craig Butler posted on social media: “Leon Bailey has stated that he is taking a break from the Jamaica national team for his mental health and to spend time with his family. His position has not changed.”
The selected players are scheduled to fly on June 16 to Houston, where they will start the competition with a match against Mexico on June 22. There are also group games against Ecuador and Venezuela. The competition will run until July 14.
Johnson will instead be free to join up with Stoke, who return to Clayton Wood for pre-season training on July 1. He only started one league game post-Christmas under Steven Schumacher in 2023/24 and has one year left on his contract.
Can Johnson force his way back into the first team plans? Have your say in the comments section
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