Newcastle contract for T&T's Lawrence

By Irving Ward

(Soccer Flash) - Defender Dennis Lawrence could soon become the next Trinidad and Tobago player to display his talent in the English Premiership.

Lawrence has been offered a contract by Newcastle United after a successful trial there.

And now it is left up to the British Department of Employment to grant the 25-year-old player a work permit.

Standing at six foot, seven inches, Lawrence had been on trial at St James Park for the last week and a half.

He returned back to Trinidad on Tuesday to rejoin the T&T team to begin preparations for next months fifth-round 2002 World Cup return-leg clash against Mexico on October 8.

Speaking from England, Newcastle manager Bobby Robson said Lawrence was allowed to return home to get some competitive matches under his belt.

"We have sent Dennis home because we want to see him playing competitively, Robson said.

Dennis will play in a Cup-Final and we will have someone taping the game for us. We have seen a lot we like in his play but what we have not seen is him play competitively - only in training and a couple of friendlies."

Newcastles Caribbean representative Peter Miller also confirmed yesterday that only the acquisition of a work permit would keep Lawrence from playing in England.

"We are now in the process of sorting out the work permit application, Miller said.

Its now a situation where Newcastle like what theyve seen in him and will make him an offer once the work permit is granted."

Lawrence made his debut for the T&T senior team in the first round of the 2002 World Cup qualifying series against the Netherlands Antilles in March.

In fact, his fine play at the back had also attracted the attention of several other British clubs including English outfits Wrexham, Sheffield United, AFC Bournemouth and Scottish Premier Division club Hibernian.

Once Lawrence acquires his work permit and joins the Magpies, he will become the third T&T player to join a Premiership team.

Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke and West Ham goalkeeper Shaka Hislop, who formerly played with Newcastle, are the other T&T players now plying their trade in the biggest league in England.

-- Anonymous, September 28, 2000

Answers

Newcastles Caribbean representative Peter Miller also confirmed yesterday that only the acquisition of a work permit would keep Lawrence from playing in England.

Hmm - I heard it was a bit "windy" out tere just now but I thought that was just a tropival storm. This is more than the orificial s*ite and Ronnie Gill are saying. Personally, I'll only beieve it when I see him sign.

-- Anonymous, September 28, 2000

Caribbean representative - it's a tough job, but someone's got to do it. ;-))

-- Anonymous, September 28, 2000

Shall we have a sweepstake to see how long we think it will take the lad to pull his hamstring?

-- Anonymous, September 28, 2000