Hue's work rate is fine - Harbour View coach says midfielder's production is good for national team

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

Even before, then after Jermaine Hue's last outing with the national senior football team in the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup, there has been much talk over whether or not he has the required work rate to be part of the national set-up.

The 31-year-old Hue scored two of his 12 goals for the Reggae Boyz in the 2005 Gold Cup and made a total of 34 international apperances.

National coach Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore recently expressed an interest in having Hue return to the national fold as the team is in need of a creative midfielder, but he is, however, not sure if Hue still has an interest in playing for Jamaica.

In an recent interview with The Gleaner, Hue expressed his willingness to represent his country whenever he is called up to do so and his current club coach at Harbour View FC, Donovan Hayles, weighed in on the issue following their Digicel Premier League 1-0 win over Boys' Town at Harbour View Mini Stadium on Sunday night.

"Everybody knows my views on Jermaine Hue and it is a pity that it took so long for the Jamaica national team to realise that we need playmakers," Hayles said.

"When one talks about work rate, work rate is not just in defence; work rate is also in forward and no one can fault Jermaine Hue for the level of work rate he puts out. We see it in the Premier League over and over in attack. This is his (Hue) nature, this is his quality and I wouldn't ask Miller (Harbour View's keeper Dwayne) to run out and try and get a goal for us to say his work rate is great. He is there to stand in the goal and perform and that is what he does," he added.

Hayles is also pleased that the national coach is showing interest in Hue, but hopes that if he is called up, he will be given the opportunity to play.

Quality player

"I am glad to hear that Tappa is looking in his direction. They say sometimes better be late than never. One would hope that if he is being called there, he is given the opportunity because he has been called many times but hasn't been given the full opportunity to go out and showcase himself.

"Whatever is left of Jermaine Hue, the country can only benefit from it and we must try to get as much out of him while he is still playing. Jermaine is a quality player and in any team, he would be a plus. He has a high work rate in attack."

Hayles also believes Hue has improved defensively.

"We have been working on him to give us more in defence, which he has been doing. For the past two seasons, Jermaine has been getting a good defensive aspect, he is not the 'ruff 'n tumble' player but he is the creative player. His major work must be where creativeness is concerned," Hayles concluded.