Black in - no Warren

RYAN-ZICO BLACK has forced his way into the 20-man Guernsey squad named for this year's NatWest Island Games title defence. But there is no room for Matt Warren, Sylvans' midfield inspiration.

'He's got other commitments at that time,' said island manager Steve Ogier yesterday.

It was thought that Ogier, who dumped Warren from the island squad earlier this season when the player put a works' basketball match before training for a South-West Counties game, would bring him back for the Island Games.

But that has not happened.

'He's away when we travel,' said Ogier.

Reports suggest Warren was happy to play in Shetland but wanted to make his own way there. The GFA, however, insist that the squad travel en bloc, with no exceptions.

Black yesterday said he was excited about the prospect of playing for his home island for the first time since the second of his Junior Muratti appearances in 1998.

Black, now 23, has been in good form for Lancaster City this season in the Nationwide North and his two goals against Stafford Rangers last weekend took his tally to 15 for the season.

'I'm joint leading scorer for the club. I've played some games in midfield but the last few I've been playing centre-forward,' he said.

Black, who is a Northern Ireland under-21 international, said he will be back in the island well in time to prepare for the Games and Guernsey's gold-medal hat-trick bid.

'I will be back mid-June for three weeks training and preparation for the Games.

'I've spoken to Steve a couple of times and I'm looking forward to it. But we haven't really spoken about the football side.'

Ogier said he had no qualms about choosing the UK-based player having been impressed by his performances for Vale Rec briefly last season.

'He looked class in that company,' said Ogier.

There are few notable absentees from the squad which is both young and strong, but the non-travellers include Ian Potter, Steve Brehaut and Stuart Polson.