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Former West Brom forward Barnes, Crystal Palace defender Adrian Mariappa included in Jamaica squad

The Jamaica squad for this year's Copa America has been named by head coach Winfried Schafer.

A 30-man preliminary roster was revealed on Tuesday as the Reggae Boyz prepare for the CONMEBOL tournament which takes place in Chile between June 11 and July 4.

One of the most interesting names in the squad is Houston Dynamo forward Giles Barnes who forms part of the sextet of MLS players in the fray.

The 26-year old was born in London and represented England at U19 level before pledging his allegiance to Jamaica earlier this year. He scored on debut in a friendly against Venezuela on March 27 before winning his second cap three days later against Cuba.

Barnes is joined by Dynamo teammate Jermaine Taylor, FC Dallas midfielder Je-Vaughn Watson, Portland Timbers defender Alvas Powell, New York Red Bulls' Kemar Lawrence and Vancouver Whitecaps striker Darren Mattocks in the Jamaica squad.

European-based players include Crystal Palace's Adrian Mariappa, Leicester City captain Wes Morgan, Reading's Michael Hector and Derby County's former San Jose Earthquakes loanee Simon Dawkins.

Jamaica have been drawn in Group B alongside World Cup runners-up Argentina, reigning South American champions Uruguay and Paraguay.

The Jamaican team will also be involved in this summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup which is held in Canada and the USA from July 7 to 26.

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Andrew Slevison
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