Steve McClaren has revealed his disappointment after Mason Greenwood snubbed a call-up to the Jamaica squad.
The Marseille forward signalled his intention to switch allegiances from England to Jamaica last summer.
Jamaica boss McClaren had hoped to count on Greenwood for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Bermuda and Trinidad and Tobago.
However, the 23-year-old is yet to confirm in writing that he is ready to change his allegiance away from England despite having already obtained a Jamaican passport.
The delay in making the switch means the door remains open for Greenwood to return to the England set-up in the future.
Not losing hope
Greenwood turned down McClaren’s call for September’s qualifiers however the ex-England boss is hopeful the forward will be available for next month’s double header against Curacao and Bermuda.
“We acquired a passport and we expected him to be coming to this camp but in a conversation with his family, he’s not going to commit at this time to anybody,” McClaren said.
“It’s a little bit disappointing, we probably have to be more patient. We will keep pursuing him because I know from my conversations with Mason that he loves Jamaica.
“He wants to concentrate on club football and not commit to an international team at the moment. He’s taking his time over that. Who knows in the future?”
“I get that he loves Jamaica, he respects Jamaica. As soon as that decision was made and he couldn’t commit, you move on. You don’t harp on it and don’t go, ‘What if this?’ or ‘what if that?’ — you move on and control what you can control.
“It’s a disappointment for everybody because he would have been a big asset and he would have come here and enjoyed his football.”
Greenwood’s international career is yet to take off having made just one appearance for the Three Lions.
His solitary cap came in a Nations League victory over Iceland in 2020 however the call-up was tainted after he was sent home from the camp for breaching Covid rules.
That leaves him able to switch to Jamaica due to having played in less than three competitive matches before turning 21.
Greenwood’s controversy
Greenwood made headlines in October 2022 when he was charged with attempted rape, coercive control and ABH.
The charges were dropped in February 2023 but by that time, there was no way back at boyhood club Manchester United.
He was handed the opportunity to reignite his career in Spain with Getafe where he netted 10 goals in 36 appearances during a season-long loan.
Greenwood secured a permanent switch to Ligue 1 giants Marseille in 2024 for £26.6million and has become a fan favourite at the Orange Velodrome.
The forward has netted 23 goals and registered eight assists in 39 appearances for the former Champions League winners.
There has been ongoing interest from clubs in signing Greenwood however Marseille have made it clear that the player is not for sale.