Nooitmeer declares for Haiti

With a hugely important league game coming up against Shamrock Rovers at the weekend, Regillio Nooitmeer's surprise declaration for Haiti has left Tony Cousin's with a defensive headache leading up to Saturday night's game. Nooitmeer, who hails from Rotterdam originally, was a revelation last season as he helped the Tribesman avoid a swift return to the First Division.

Having won 3 caps with the Dutch U-17's, the 23 year old has now been drafted into the Haitian squad to face Ecuador this evening in a friendly. Ranked 97th in the world, Haiti drew with Venezuela last month and are preparing for a World Cup qualifying tie against the winners of an eagerly awaited tie between the Dutch Antilles and Nicaragua./

Back in Galway, Utd boss Cousins is in the midst of a defensive crisis, with John Fitzgerald and John Lester suspended and Wes Charles and Alan Keane both rated doubtful. Whether Nooitmeer will return in time for the weekend game is in doubt, but Cousins respected his player's wishes to be involved.

"This is Haiti's last game before the World Cup and not being there might have cost him his place in the World Cup squad. They are playing good teams, so it can only do Reggie good."

Ironically, Nooitmeer's call-up comes at a time when arguably he hasn't been reproducing the sparkling form of his debut season, with Galway undermining some decent early performances with the concession of a couple of soft goals.

This brings the number of current internationals at Terryland Park to three, with Alvin Rouse(Barbados) and Wes Charles(St Vincent and Grenadine's) also involved in CONCACAF qualifiers. Indeed, Galway Utd have had their fair share of Caribbean imports over the years, some more successful than others. Eric Lavine, Luther Watson, and Ryan Lucas were the other players to have represented their home nations while wearing the maroon and white.