Reggae Girlz head coach Hubert Busby Jr has once again left out Manchester City’s inform striker Khadija Shaw from his team to face Trinidad and Tobago in an International Friendly on October 28 in Port of Spain.

Shaw, the talismanic leader of the Reggae Girlz, last played for Jamaica against South Africa in December 2024. She has scored four goals from six matches for her club to be the joint second in the goalscoring chart.

Busby explained his decision in a virtual press conference on Thursday morning. 

“Bunny Shaw is out. Last week I was in Manchester and had a good conversation with Bunny and her group, including her physio, as well as our medical team. We’re going to keep her out of this round. Obviously, she’s in fine form, but there’s one or two things we want to make sure that she’s great on heading into the next round,” Busby explained.

“All is good from there. She is doing well. Obviously, she is in great form in great form and we want to keep it that way. We going to monitor that and may her good form continue, and we want to see her next month,” he noted.

Influential midfielder Drew Spence, along with the tricky Trudy Carter, was also left out through injury.

“Drew Spence has picked up a knock last week prior too, so Tottenham informed us that they’re going to hold her out, and we hope that she’ll be ready for the next round. Trudi was in the squad as well, and she’s picked up a knock,” said Busby.

“As the College players are concerned, we have deliberately and in consultation with their schools we have omitted them.  We have a large contingent of quality College-based players, and as all of you know, they are in the midst of their season and the scholastic workload we have taken into consideration. That compromise was made, hence the reason why those players were omitted.

This game against Trinidad and Tobago will be used as preparation for the World Cup Qualifiers set to begin in November. Jamaica are drawn in Group B alongside Nicaragua, Guyana, Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda.

The Reggae Girlz are hunting their third consecutive World Cup appearance, having historically qualified in 2018 and 2022. The last time both Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago played was August 31, 2018, at the National Stadium, with the Reggae Girlz winning  4-1.

Busby believes this practice game will serve the Reggae Girlz well.

“We look forward to that match. There is a great rivalry between us and Trinidad, our biggest Caribbean rival. They are in their final preparation as well, so we look forward to that game, it’s a big match and test,” said Busby.

Below is the Reggae Girlz squad listed by name, position and club:

• Rebecca Spencer, GK, Chelsea W FC
• Sydney Schneider, GK, Tampa Bay Sun FC
• Allyson Swaby, Defender, Crystal Palace W FC
• Tianna Harris, Defender, Damaiense FC
• Konya Plummer, Defender, Fenerbahçe
• Chantelle Swaby, Defender, Leicester City W FC
• Tiffany Cameron, Defender, Halifax Tides FC
• Gabrielle Gayle, Defender, Lancaster Inferno SC
•  Olufolasade Adamolekun, Midfielder, Hearts FC
• Jaileah McPherson, Midfielder, Florida International
• Deniesha Blackwood, Midfielder, Cruz Azul W FC
•  Israela Groves, Midfielder, Athlone Town FC
• Atlanta Primus, Midfielder, Southampton W FC
• Vyan Sampson, Midfielder, INAC Kobe Lionesses
•  Kayla McKenna, Forward, FC Zurich Grasshoppers
• Natasha Thomas, Forward, Ipswich Town W FC
•  Shania Hayles, Forward, Newcastle United W FC
• Jody Brown, Forward, Marseille W FC
• Njeri Butts, Forward, University of Florida
•  Kalyssa Van Zanten, Forward, Houston Dash FC