Liverpool legend joins Sunderland
JAMAICA-born former England international John Barnes will be conducting scouting and coaching clinics in seven Caribbean countries for Sunderland it emerged today.
And the region's best young players will earn the chance to play with the Black Cats under the scouting deal.
Former England, Liverpool and Watfrod winger Barnes, whose father is Trinidadian, appeared excited as he described the Caribbean as an untapped market for football talent.
"I'm going to be here for the programme to look at the talent and try and give opportunities for young players in the Caribbean," Barnes said.
"We will be in seven of the islands running five-day clinics with Under-20 teams and choosing the best players to go to Sunderland for a week to train at the professional club," he added.
Sunderland currently have T&T stars Kenwyne Jones, Carlos Edwards and Dwight Yorke on their books and the manager has impressed the need for his scouts to scour the world's leagues for players.
Barnes added: "In England now, they recognise the fact that although Africa is saturated, this is the next place where you are going to get the next talent coming out to hopefully grace the Premier League," said Barnes, who was schooled in Jamaica before moving to England as a 13 year-old.
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Weather for South Shields
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
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