Following a friendly international against El Salvador last month Simoes had stated that there would be a reduction in the number of overseas-based players invited for the Canada game. At the same time Simoes expressed confidence in his local contingent.

"The players have been excellent so far. They behave well, practice very hard and I think that we have a lot of talent available," he said.

"We have to establish some way of playing when you have so many players coming from abroad ... England, Norway, they come with different styles, it all depends on their coach," Simoes pointed out.

"It's difficult for them to adjust when they arrive two or three days before the game."

Leading the foreign-based contingent will be captain Ricardo Gardner (Bolton Wanderers), along with Tyrone Marshall (Toronto FC), Rudolph Austin, Demar Phillips (Stoke City), Luton Shelton (VŒlerenga), Ian Goodison (Tranmere), Andy Williams (Real Salt Lake), Deon Burton (Sheffield Wednesday) and Omar Cummings (Colorado Rapids).

Hull City striker Marlon King was confirmed to be among the conspicuous absences, but also excluded from the team are forward Ricardo Fuller (Stoke City) and winger Jamal Campbell-Ryce (Barnsley).

Fuller, recently recovered from a knee injury sustained while on international duty two months ago, but suited up for Stoke in a 2-2 pre-season draw at home against Spanish team Osasuna.

Officially securing his place back in the fold is Harbour View's creative midfielder, Jermaine Hue, who had not featured in the plans of Simoes since being called to the squad in February of this year.

While admitting that including somewhat untested local-based players in the crucial qualifying round is somewhat of a risk, Simoes says it is one that he is willing to take.

"It is a risk either way if you use too many overseas players or local players, but I believe that the players are talented enough," he said.

"Dreams without risk are like conquests without merits," he added.

Squad: Goalkeepers - Donovan Ricketts, Shawn Sawyers; defenders - Marshall, Goodison, Keneil Moodie, O'Brian Woodbine, Stewart, Phillips, Jermaine Taylor; midfielders - Rudolph Austin, Davion Thorpe, Evan Taylor, Jevaughn Watson, Jermaine Hue, Gardner Wolry Wolfe; forwards - Burton, Shelton, Cummings and Williams.