Following his year-long absence, Jamaican winger Leon Bailey has returned to the Reggae Boyz team full of enthusiasm and vigour and is raring to go against the Americans on Thursday.

Jamaica will play the United States of America over two legs in the CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final on Thursday, November 14 in Kingston and four days later in St Louis, Missouri on Monday, November 18.

“It’s been exactly one year since I haven’t been here and you know, time has passed and definitely miss being here. It’s a great feeling to be back home as well,” said Bailey, in an interview with Simon Preston, the press officer of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF). “I’m getting some sun, being with the boys, meeting a new coach. It’s been good.”

Bailey who plays for Aston Villa in the English Premier League has not played for Jamaica since November of 2023 because of several issues with the JFF and was actually suspended for a while. He will be working with McClaren for the first time.

“He’s actually a very good individual. I respect him a lot. I knew a lot about him before and having him here is a good feeling,” said Bailey. “Before I met him now for the first time, we had a good connection or should I say a good bond because we were speaking a lot before we even actually met in person. So, it felt really good to meet him and now working with him, it’s been good. I like what he’s about and he’s just a great individual. He has a great character, which I like and he’s very good with the players.”

The 27-year-old Bailey has played 10 games for Aston Villa this season and is yet to register a goal but has two assists. He has 15 goals from 96 games for his club and had scored 28 from 119 games for German outfit Bayer Leverkusen.

However, the talented right winger, who called himself the “general” during the interview, is yet to win over the Jamaican fans scoring just five times from 30 games for the Reggae Boyz.

But with competition getting stiffer for positions, Bailey is not perturbed and welcomes the new arrivals.

“It’s always nice to have new players and obviously if they’re talented and they’re showing it day in day, it’s nice to have them here representing,” he explained. “It’s important to also help them as well and now being back, hopefully I can help a lot of them and show them the way and definitely try to bond with them. Let them enjoy Jamaica and the vibe within the camp. Try to bring out the best in them so that they can perform and show their best.”

He added: “The last few games I’ve seen, the stadium been looking really full and I like the vibe that’s there and the energy,” he pointed out. “Well, you know, the general is back. Come show the support and come out to the National Stadium and come take in the game. Let’s all just have a good time on Thursday and hopefully, we can get the win for you guys.”