BALTIMORE, Maryland — Chris Humphrey, an example of patience and humility, may finally have his chance to turn out for the Reggae Boyz after a spell of being in the wilderness.

In the three games in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, he was not even considered for a substitute role. But based on how the team trained at the Stevenson University on the rustic outskirts of Baltimore Friday morning, Humphrey’s waiting game may finally have come to an end.

Though head coach Winfried Schaefer is yet to name his starting 11 for the Haiti game Saturday, and it would seem by all indications that the right-sided Preston North End player could have his day, and with that mouthwatering prospect looming, he is ready for the challenge.

“If this is my chance, I’ve got to prove myself, and when I get that chance, it’s up to me to lose my place or to keep it,” said the former Motherwell player, who left Jamaica as a little boy.

But if the coach should decide that it’s not the right time for the 27-year-old, Humphrey says he would gracefully accept the decision, as in his view, what’s best for the team, is also good for him.

“If I get a chance tomorrow (Saturday) great, and if not, I will continue to support the lads. Right now I am excited,” he told OBSERVER ONLINE.

“This is a very big game in a big tournament and we have done well so far, so this is where the coach will pick and choose who he wants to play,” says Humphrey who has been in and out of the Jamaica set-up for different reasons.

Humphrey was first called to the Jamaica squad in 2011, but passport issues prevented him from playing. He was given another call-up a year later and made his debut in a 1–0 defeat to Panama. Humphrey made a second appearance against Panama, but was then dropped from the squad for breaking a curfew.

Meanwhile, two-goal hero Garath McCleary echoed the sentiments of teammates.

“I think our approach has to be the exact way it has been in the tournament, and we have to go into the game knowing we can win, and also know it’s going to be a tough game and we have to give a hundred per cent of commitment when we go out there,” he said.

McCleary, with his goals aside, has been a very influential player even as provider and says he’s looking to yet again impact the game for his team.

“I hoping to put in another good performance,” he noted.

McCleary, an exciting winger at Reading FC, reminded that were it not for great team efforts, he would never have been able to score his goals.

“My two goals wouldn’t come unless I got the support of the team, and I just hope we will do as well as I know we can.

“We have a tight squad as I have said before, and even players who haven’t played yet, are very strong, and I know when they come in they will do a good job for us as well,” he ended.

Sean Williams