Workington Reds are set to lose one of their key players to international duty.
Forward Jamie Allen has received a call-up by Montserrat and flies to the Caribbean today.
Allen, who came off the bench to score in Reds’ 3-1 FA Trophy win over Morpeth Town on Saturday, will be in line to be involved in a Concacaf Nations League double-header.
Montserrat, who are managed by the former Charlton Athletic and Birmingham City boss Lee Bowyer, face an away clash with Bonaire on Thursday then host the same opponents next Sunday.
It will rule summer signing Allen out of Workington’s Northern Premier League Premier Division home clash with Ilkeston Town next Saturday.
The Preston-born player qualifies for Montserrat through his grandmother and has 12 caps for the nation.
Workington boss Mark Fell said he will be disappointed to lose the 29-year-old former Fleetwood Town man, but would never stand in the way of a player when it came to international opportunity.
“Jamie goes off on international duty [on Sunday], which is a blow I suppose, because we don’t want to lose him,” said Fell in a club interview with Steve Durham.
“We’ve only just got him back to fitness. Him and Caitlin [Gribbon, Reds’ physio] have been working ever so hard to get him back out there, and when he came on [against Morpeth], everything he touched was just class. He’s such a high-quality footballer.
“He plays for them next week. Lee Bowyer is the manager of Montserrat and he’s called him up, which I think is testament to the work he’s done here, and testament to the start of the season he’s had.
“We’ve got all our fingers crossed while he’s out there. I think he’s then back for two weeks then goes again for another week, then we get him back for the duration after that.
“It’s great for Jamie. We don’t want to step in anyone’s way of playing international football. It’s testament to the work he’s done here.”
Other English-based players in the Montserrat squad include Colchester United striker Lyle Taylor, who faced Carlisle United in Saturday’s 0-0 draw in League Two.
Ex-Carlisle midfielder Brandon Comley, who now plays for Walsall, is also a Montserrat international.
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