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Bailey Cadamarteri

Hallgrimsson to rethink CNL strategy as Cadamarteri opts for England U19s over senior Reggae Boyz

After naming Cadamarteri in his 23-man squad, Hallgrimsson praised the attributes of the rising star, who he believed could add value to the senior Reggae Boyz setup. However, shortly after Hallgrimsson's announcement, England released its youth squad which also included Cadamarteri.

Despite having his Jamaican passport, the 18-year-old Cadamarteri placed the senior Reggae Boyz option on hold for the time being and will be hoping to get his first runout in England colours this week when the Under-19s play Morocco and the United States in North Africa.

This means Hallgrimsson, will not only have to wait to get the six-foot tall player in Jamaica's colours, but will also have to call up a replacement of equal or better quality.

“Firstly, he's like Kaheim Dixon (another young Jamaican attacker). He has got goals written all over him...in his youth career, he’s scored a lot of goals. But for me, as a striker what catches my eye is that he’s really hard working, he’s got constant running in behind defences, and he’s a good link up player," Hallgrimsson said of Cadamarteri in a recent press conference. 

“He’s clever using spaces and his technique is really good, so I think he has all the attributes that a good striker should have - but he’s still young, like Kaheim Dixon," he added.

Cadamarteri is believed to be very open to the idea of playing for Jamaica in the future, something that won’t be affected by turning out for the Three Lions at youth level.

Cadamarteri, who earns his Jamaican stripes through father Danny, a former Everton stalwart in the 1990s and early 2000s, also qualifies to represent Italy through heritage.

By virtue of the FIFA ruling regarding youth caps, Cadamarteri still has the option to switch his senior international allegiance from England.

Hallgrimsson is expected to address the issue during his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

Rising EFL sensation Cadamarteri included in Reggae Boyz squad to face US; Leon Bailey out on suspension

Though Davis, who represents Mount Pleasant and Dixon, of Arnett Gardens, both made their senior team debut in the recent friendly series against Trinidad and Tobago, it is their first time making the Reggae Boyz Nations League roster, while British-born Cadamarteri is being called to the Jamaican set up for the first time.

The six-foot tall 18-year-old, who plays for Sheffield Wednesday, alongside another Reggae Boy Dishon Bernard, also has Italian and Irish descent, but chose to honour his Jamaican heritage.

In fact, the rising English Championship sensation was interested in playing for Ireland, but doesn’t qualify, as his great grandparents hails from the Emerald Isle.

Still, their loss is Jamaica's gain and Hallgrimsson and company will be eager to put his skills to the test at some point in time in this crucial semi-final contest. 

Cadamarteri burst onto the scene this season with three goals in 11 Championship outings for the Owls and qualifies to represent Jamaica through his father Danny Cadamarteri, who played for Everton in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Meanwhile, a notable absentee from the 23-man squad is Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey, who misses out on a spot in the squad after he was suspended for breaking curfew during the last national camp.

Squad: Andre Blake, Shaquan Davis, Jahmali Waite, Richard King, Damion Lowe, Dishon Bernard, Michael Hector, Dexter Lembikisa, Tayvon Gray, Greg Leigh, Daniel Johnson, Joel Latibeaudiere, Bobby Reid, Karoy Anderson, Kasey Palmer, Renaldo Cephas, Cory Burke, Demarai Gray, Bailey Cadamarteri, Shamar Nicholson, Michail Antonio, Jamal Lowe, Kaheim Dixon

Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl: My team fight until the end

Bailey Cadamarteri’s opener was cancelled out by Sammie Szmodics, but Marvin Johnson and Josh Windass struck in the last 12 minutes to earn the division’s bottom club only their second win of the campaign.

Wednesday had scored in stoppage time in midweek to hold leaders Leicester and their latest late show left Rohl delighted with his side’s progress.

Rohl said: “My team fight until the end and they believe in what we are doing. I’m so happy to take the points today.

“We spoke in the past about what happens if we concede a goal. When you look back to the Millwall game, we conceded a goal and then it was maybe not much energy in the group, but now you see we improve this mentally.

“After the defeat in Birmingham, now we took four points and I think this is a huge step forward.

“I try to show my players every day that we have to believe and that I’m convinced in my players.

“Maybe it’s sometimes helpful to come from some big clubs because then you have a little bit of the winning DNA in yourself and you always believe in the special things you can do.”

To compound Blackburn’s misery, manager Jon Dahl Tomasson was shown a red card following protests to the match officials over an incident involving James Hill and Callum Paterson in the build-up to Wednesday’s second goal.

Blackburn skipper Szmodics faced the post-match interviews in the manager’s absence but could not shed further light on the incident.

“I’ve not seen it,” he said.

“There’s a ref, two linesmen and a fourth official. It’s hard to speak this early after a game. I don’t want to get in any more trouble. The gaffer has got into trouble with it.

“It’s tough at the minute. You don’t know if you can go and speak to referees or not. I’ll let people look back at the goal and make their decision.”

Szmodics, who scored his seventh goal in five games, felt the scoreline was harsh on the visitors.

He said: “I don’t think it should have been a 3-1. We‘ve got back into the game with a goal and it just wasn’t to be today.

“The gaffer said at half time that we created chances. We just needed to take one and in the first half we didn’t. In the second half we got back into it, but it wasn’t our day.

“It was one of the few headers I’ve ever scored. I should have volleyed it but I went down early and managed to get enough power into it.”

“We’ll recover and get to go again.”