The injury was sustained at a training session with his Premier League team, Reno, at Frome on Thursday and he has been told by his doctor to rest for six weeks.

"My foot is fractured, the little small bone around the back. I wrung my foot in training. I went for a ball and skipped out of the way of a forward and was getting ready to throw it to a forward to start an attack when I wrung my ankle," Lawrence said yesterday.

Despite picking up the injury on Thursday, Lawrence's foot was not placed in a cast until yesterday after he had an x-ray.

"I thought it was a little sprain. But it started swelling last night (Friday)," said Lawrence. "I did an x-ray this (Saturday) morning.

"I was walking on it. I thought it was just a little sprain. The bone never had to be set. The cast was put on same way. I'm going to do another x-ray on Monday."

Jamaica will play their first game in the six-nation CONCACAF final round World Cup qualifiers at the National Stadium on Wednesday, February 28 and in regards to the timing of this injury a disappointed-sounding Lawrence, who was involved in a motor vehicle accident almost a week ago, said: "It's just one of them things that we have to live with, life is a rocky road. It's one of them things that we've to deal with."

It is the second time the Reno goalie has been sidelined from national duties with a broken bone. In 1992-93, he broke his left foot in a crucial Premier League match against fellow semi-finalists Cavalier at Frome, when he was set to reclaim a first team spot in the national unit.

"My brothers were saying that 'everytime you coming on form your foot broke'," he said.

Within the past two weeks, Jamaica's build-up to the February 28 qualifier suffered huge blows with the death of defender/midfielder Stephen "Shorty" Malcolm; and news that form striker Onandi Lowe - who scored five of the team's eight semi-final round goals - will miss the match because of a two-match ban imposed by the sport's world governors, FIFA.

"We're very disappointed with the latest news," the JFF's general secretary Horace Reid said yesterday. "Aaron is a very important member of the squad and to receive this news three weeks away from our first game of the final round is not the kind of news you want to get.

"However, the show has to go on. The information I have is he should be back in training in the next five weeks."

The West Indies can still be a force ... if only Lara's girlfriend could catch

They'd struggle to beat the Tied Test team - 40 years on - but the tourists won't give up.

Special guest Hindsight columnist today is West Indian batsman Wavell Hinds (no relation), who has asked to use this space to write a letter home...

Minister Teixeira visited the squad in training at the National Park, Friday afternoon, and spoke with the press afterwards.

"The GRFU (Guyana Rugby Football Union) put up a budget ($2.2 million) of which 50 per cent will be raised from the government level," Minister Teixeira said.

Minister Teixeira pointed out that the government will be looking at other sources because the budget cannot be passed by parliament.

"We acknowledge the importance of Guyana's participation in the Jamaica tournament and we look forward to the selection of local players in the West Indies team," the minister said.

GRFU president, Christopher Nascimento, said the budget of $2.2 million is for expenses on the trip - travel, accommodation and meals.

"That figure does not include gear," Nascimento pointed out.

The GRFU head disclosed that nearly $400 000 was already raised from the recent Paul Keens Douglas show and some 40 local companies were written to for sponsorship.

Nascimento said he had some cash response but it was minimal.

The GRFU boss said an international sevens tournament will be staged in April, after the Easter, for which the Ministry of Trade has already pledged US$10 000 for cash prizes.

That money was promised as part of Guyana's bid to host the upcoming Sevens championships which Jamaica won ahead of Guyana.

Contact was made with several teams during the World Cup qualifying Sevens series in Trinidad and Tobago and the response was favourable.

Nascimento also disclosed there are two regional junior tournaments this year - an Under-19 in Guadeloupe and an Under-17 in St Vincent & Grenadines.

Minister Teixeira said the GRFU has made "major steps" forward in the last two years, recalling the staging of the inaugural Southern Caribbean championships.

"This is one of the few associations serious about getting the job done; that is the development of sport," Minister Teixeira declared.

Government had joined the private sector to build $5 million change rooms and upgrade the rugby field in time for the Southern Caribbean championships late 1998.

The minister inspected the change rooms in which the sinks were in a state of disrepair and the showers were being re-adjusted. The door of the other room was difficult to open.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport, Keith Booker, who accompanied the minister, promised to have the repairs effected.

Mainly rugby players use the change rooms while the washrooms constructed for use by the general public were not opened since they were constructed.

Booker who is member of the National Parks Commission promised to have the situation rectified.

According to the Melbourne Weekend, the 31-year-old West Indies idol was buying Lynnsey some fancy clobber when he spotted a brunette in the clothing boutique chain, Cue, in the Bourke St mall in Melbourne, Australia.

He went bats over the shop girl called Sandra and chatted her up while 19-year-old Lynnsey was trying a dress on in the changing rooms. With her back turned, he talked the 20-year-old called Sandra into giving him her mobile phone number - then called her TEN times a day.

Lara's relationship with British model Ward included a fiery New Year's Eve argument at Darling Harbour. A few days later it appeared the relationship was over as Ward was photographed leaving Sydney Airport.

On Friday Lynnsey put a brave face on the apparent break-up. She denied she had split from ex-Windies captain Lara and said to the Daily Star: "I've come back home for work reasons. We are still going out,"

"I spoke to him this morning and everything is fine. There are no problems."

"There is nothing wrong, he is free to go out when he wants, but as far as I believe we are still very close and I know that I will fight for Brian, he is wonderful to me,"

"I know that there are a lot of people that would like to be where I am now and I believe that they are still very jealous of us, but we have a very open relationship," she said.

"When I told Brian about the stories about this girl, he just laughed and said it was just the normal with everyone blowing things out of proportion. I trust him, and have faith in what we have."she noted.

But Lara was pictured with his new conquest in a Sydney newspaper.

Double World Record Holder Lara had whisked Lynnsey out to Australia while he was on tour with the West Indies. And the pair seemed a hot item as they travelled around Down Under for a month.

But last week Lynnsey jetted home to her mum in Chester-le-Street, Co Durham, after a bust-up with Lara. As soon as she was gone he bombarded Sandra with more than 50 phone calls. He begged her to join him on an expenses-paid trip from her home in Melbourne to Sydney.

She eventually said yes and he moved her into his suite at the luxury Hilton Hotel in Sydney at the weekend.

The pair tried to dodge cameramen as they left the hotel to go clubbing.

But one West Indies team insider revealed: "He enjoyed telling players the story the next day. He seems to have been having a great time with Sandra."

When he took Lynnsey to Australia for the Test series (West Indies lost 0-5) he was blasted by West Indies legend Sir Viv Richards and other commentators.

His form suffered and critics claimed Lynnsey took his mind off his game.

But when she left he played some his best cricket.

Lynnsey was plucked from obscurity as a £10,000-a-year receptionist by the Daily Star just over a year ago when she won our Millennium Babe contest.

Lara - a pal of Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke - spotted her picture in A British newspaper and the two got together, she also visited the Caribbean with Brian.

Convener of selectors Rushdi Magiet is expected to announce separate test and one-day squads for South Africa's first ever five-test tour of the Caribbean.

The first team of 15 players will play three warmup games and five Test matches, starting on March 1. The second group of 16 players will play in the seven one-day internationals starting on April 28.

Magiet told Beeld newspaper on Wednesday that because South Africa complete the Test series before starting the one-dayers, the selectors' job had been made easier. He said it was a bit more difficult in the series against Sri Lanka because the Tests were broken up by one-dayers.

Magiet said it had been a fantastic season thus far. "The team spirit was high and the team worked hard together. Shaun Pollock had a wonderful season as captain and the coaches did their part."

Magiet was pleased that players like Boeta Dippenaar and Neil McKenzie established themselves at national level. He is, however, concerned by the number of injuries the team suffered and the need for a second backup spin bowler.

"Mfuneko Ngam's injury is a huge setback for us, but once Allan Donald reaches the top of his game again it will solve that problem. Because we are looking for pace in our attack, Corrie van Zyl and Graham Ford have been working with Nantie Hayward as he is a backup option."

Magiet said left-arm spinner Nicky Boje did a very good job, but they needed a backup spin bowler and the coaches had been working with Paul Adams.

"I'm pleased that we found another allrounder in Justin Kemp. The young bowlers like Ngam and Makhaya Ntini are looking good and we haven't even used others like Charl Langeveldt, Andre Nel, Garnett Kruger and Charl Willoughby yet.

"So in the bowling department our reserve power also looks good," he said. "We don't have a reason not to be positive."

The squads will be announced on February 17. West Indies are expected to name their captain today (February 12th).

Leading bookie Victor Chandler admitted he has sleepless nights over Woods' global golf domination as his company became the latest big-money sponsor to back this year's Ryder Cup.

Chandler admitted Woods' nine victories last season - including three Majors - lost them an absolute packet.

He said: "Woods cost the betting industry hundreds of thousands of pounds last year.

"Whenever he tees up in a tournament he is the only player people want to back.

"We used to dread Desert Orchid winning races because he was the nation's favourite racehorse. But now it is Tiger who has us running for cover.

"He has become a bigger liability than Frankie Dettori at Ascot, Pete Sampras on grass and Manchester United in the Premiership.

"What Tiger has achieved is nothing short of phenomenal. When it comes to the really big events, we all know he can raise his game to incredible heights."

In 1990, Whittaker spent some months in Canada, but after earlier considering the United Kingdom, Whittaker has opted for Belmont Park. " I have made contact through a friend with Belmont Park trainer Christina Dupps and she has made the necessary arrangements for me to start my career at Belmont Park, and initially I expect to be riding for her, but I will also get a jockey's agent as soon as I arrive,"Whittaker told the Independent. "A lot of the timing about when I will travel to the States, is dependent on the Gold Cup in Barbados, which is in early March and where I will most probably have a mount. I want to ride and win that race, so I may wait until after that event before heading over to Belmont Park,"he added.

"I am not going anywhere in the Caribbean and generally speaking the racing here is not getting any better and the prize money and timely payment structure will better suit me to travel abroad."

"I plan to initially go on my own without my family and see how things work out, I am only thirty years, so still young and there is a lot of chances to make more of my career in riding,"he noted.

He will be joining fellow Trinidadian Emile Ramsammy who has been winning races during the current winter meeting in New York.

Dale Whittaker was champion jockey in Trinidad several times before moving his tack to Barbados.

The rider, whose father and uncle are Barbadian and were both jockeys, fulfilled a lifelong dream when he won the 1999 Barbados Jockeys Championship for which he received a Garrison Turf Award.

Last year Whittaker finished sixth in the Trinidad jockey standings and fourth in the Barbados standings.

In Barbados, Whittaker won 14 races, had 19 seconds, 21 thirds and 18 fourths from 137 rides with his mounts earning a total of nearly $207 000.

The highlights of Whittaker's career include victories in the Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup astride Incitatus in 1997, the 1999 United Barbados Derby with Galileo and the 1994 Royal Oak Trinidad Derby with Lash Dem Lara.

Lara, asked if he supported Adams as captain against South Africa, with Carl Hooper being proposed as his successor,told the Herald Newspaper: "I think the captain has done a great job. He doesn't have the results to show for it, but he has done a great job and I'm sure we are going to rally around him to make sure we get something out of the next week for him.

"First of all, anybody who captains the West Indies gets my full support. I have played under Jimmy for the last eight or nine months and I know what he goes through. I have experienced similar results and failures. He is a very good individual, a very affable person, and we respect him as a captain."

Lara also said he was not interested in returning as captain of the West Indies at present. "I think I have a lot of difficult hurdles before I can think of such things," he said. Lara agreed he had experienced a roller-coaster season, but said: "I think you should have grown accustomed to Brian Lara by now.

"He is very inconsistent. Wednesday in Sydney could be very good or very bad. I'm looking on the very good side.

"If things work out pretty well, I can give up a good performance."

Brian Lara admits he and other experienced members of the team have failed the West Indies this season.

But with the Frank Worrell Trophy gone 5-0, Lara has set himself the task of returning home in a week having deprived World Cup champions Australia of their one-day crown.

Having guided the West Indies into the best-of-three finals of the series with an unbeaten 83 against Zimbabwe, Lara gave his first full and frank interview of what has been a wildly fluctuating series for him.

"We would love to leave Australia with a trophy from the one-day series," he said. "Any sort of success we can get out of the tour would be great.

"Nothing seems unreachable for the Australians these days, but things can happen at night for us.

"We're into the finals now and it would be nice for us to do something special. Australia will be tough opposition but if we get our team together we can give them a good fight." Australia play Zimbabwe in the last of the qualifying matches at the WACA Ground in Perth today, a game now superfluous with the Zimbabweans eliminated after losing on Friday. A more mature, generous Brian Lara emerged in the interview room after that win than the playboy with the pin-up girl on his arm so often depicted this summer. He said he took some responsibility for the miserable Test series.

"The West Indies people have to realise we came here with a very young, inexperienced team," he said. "We relied on a few experienced players who did not come through, like myself and Courtney [Walsh].

"I don't think you could pinpoint one person and say it was his fault."

When asked about team manager Ricky Skerritt's midweek assertion that he must develop a greater work ethic and not rely solely on natural gifts, Lara replied: "He's the manager. If he thinks he needs to see me do more, that's fine. I have been carrying an [hamstring] injury for the last six months.

"I have been told to rest for six weeks. It's so important that I play right now. I'm willing to take it easy in practice so I can be a success in matches.v "I think the manager is not only talking about this tour, but also about how the opposition is approaching Brian Lara as an opponent. People seem to want to throw everything at myself. "But, it's not only my work ethic. I need to be a lot more consistent. And if I can work on all my different departments, fully fit, then it's possible. But I understand where he is coming from, and it's right to say that."

Over the past few years, Brian Lara has made headlines as much for his deeds off the field as for those on it, and this Australian tour has been no different.

Without mentioning names, Lara touched on the media frenzy that occurred while his girlfriend, model Lynnsey Ward, was travelling with him on the earlier part of the tour, before returning to England.

"This particular time things have strayed on your part a bit," he said, addressing reporters yesterday. "I'm sure you could agree with that.

"I wouldn't say [I have been treated] unfairly. It's a part of what's happening and what's going on with myself at present and I have to deal with it in the best way possible. "I have tried to play my cricket as best as possible. But these things happen. It goes with the territory."

While it has been a long and frustrating tour, Lara is hoping the experience will harden and inspire some of the younger members of the squad. "I'd like to see some of the younger guys come forward and make a name for themselves," he said.

Only last week, the Arima Race Club attempted to make contact and establish a meeting with the Minister of Trade and Industry, this after sending him a congratulatory letter extending their congratulations on his appointment. It was an attempt by the Arima Race Club to offer an olive branch to the Minister who in the past has not been on the best terms with them.

The Minister has been the one behind the plan implementation of the National Racing Commission (NRC). So far the Minister has not responded to the ARC'S offer of a cordial meeting to discuss the NRC and the ARC and how they can co-exist.

In light of all of this, The Independent understands that unless something is done this week, then on Sunday February 4th, there will be an Annual General Meeting of the Club, where the President and other members will resign, because the stakeholders in racing have expressed to the ARC that they want out if the NRC comes into power, as they foresee controversy and bacchanal in the reign of the NRC. This effectively will mean the shutdown of all racing, as there will be no way to obtain funding for the industry to survive.

In fact only last week, attempts to have the meeting with the Minister finalized by lobbies to Carlos John, Jack Warner and Lawrence Duprey by those in racing have still not been able to succeed.

All of this begs the question, is One Man, Or One Group bigger than the Sport? Also, in this current political climate, does the Government want another political football to have to defend?

It seems that unlike most civilized countries in the world and even some in the Caribbean, we are people afraid of discussion and if that fails then mediation to solve our problems. No man, No group is an island, no one, absolutely no one is a law unto themselves and any one who has that feeling is only fooling themselves and living a life of hypocrisy.

If people care about the sport, they would step back, step away and look at ways of bringing some harmony to the sport. Sometimes if you love something enough and you realize that the vast majority just cannot agree with your ideas, maybe you should quiet walk away and let another person bring your ideas to the table.

Horseracing is controlled by those in Trinidad and Tobago's society who are at the top of their business sectors, these are men and women accustomed to owning their own business, getting their way and expressing their feeling without fear and favour. Therefore it is impossible to ask them to listen to the views of another without giving their opinions.

Horseracing shutdown is not merely another stand off between people polarized by political dogma, but rather it is erosion of life and family for all those that earns a living from the industry. Nothing will happen to the powerful businessman, except that he will have to find somewhere else to lime on a Saturday and maybe now have to spend quality time with his wife and family. But the grooms, handlers, trainers, jockeys, exercise jockeys, other workmen at the track, both in the field and in the offices will suffer.

Naturally in this battle which appears heading for a war, which could escalate to the courts, there are signs the disruption could be as along as two to three months. There are now over 350 horses in Training, so that will mean a lot of financial burdens for owners with no means of compensation.

It would not surprise me to witness those that have lost their warnings from the sport, joining a union and marching onto the lands of those in power that refused to have a simple meeting where those interested in the sport could publicly voice their opinion. Even in Government there must be alliance, there must be support at times from the opposition if plans are to proceed. It has to be hope that good sense will prevail and that the Prime Minister and Attorney General, along with the Minister for Labour would step in and allivairte the fears of a nation.

On Saturday January 27th, 2001, there were three interesting situations: a) Sea Spider after his 50-1 upset, failed to deliver over a shorter distance as this column predicted, as the other horses decided to run this time and Sea Spider folded up at the top of the straight, which means he lasted just about 1000 metres in the lead. If you forgot he won a 1550 metres last time out.

b) In Race Four, for West Indies Bred 3 year old maidens, Kurt Ragbirsingh was aboard Trini Online for Owner /Trainer Dr Abraham Alexander and he could be seen giving a punter a loud tip to bet on -Storming Wind - (another horse in the race), all of this in the parade ring. c) Maniram Maharaj trained Del Piero after disqualification last week from first place for accidental interference, found another way to lose and with it lose a lot of the punters money when after being installed favourite over 1300 metres, the normally fast starting Del Piero broke slowly with Navin Managalee again in the saddle. There was no steward's inquiry, as is to be expected now. Nevertheless loyal followers of the Mangalee-Maharaj connection would have been pleased with the 16-1 victory of Boldon Express in the following race. Still no Stewards Inquiry. Will one ever come?

Jack Warner as only he can, has insisted that the stadiums will rebound to the benefit of the people of Trinidad and Tobago. But in all of this, we need to determine just how Trinidad and Tobago will benefit.

Nobody wants to step forward and say exactly what the stadium will cost the executive of FIFA, and also if after completion whether it will belong to FIFA, or whether it will belong to someone else.

Also after the World cup, will the stadium be sold to Trinidad and Tobago and if so at what price, given the stadiums will be for football primarily and other sports secondary.

Even as the stadiums are being built both ion Trinidad and in Tobago, we need to know who is paying the contractors, and the workmen on the sites. Of course we all know of Jack's infinite wealth and his insistence to help out the government in any financial matters. But we need to ask, just how good are four stadiums for our sport, particularly if they cost individually over $25,000,000.00TT to be built.

If our government signs any agreement with Jack and FRIFA to buy back these stadiums, then it is only we, the people of Trinidad and Tobago that will suffer, because as much as we love sport, we cannot allow our money to be misused.

Because if the governments buys the stadium for X amount of money, then what happens to maintenance of the stadium, judging by what we have seen at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, this is most an expensive and time consuming exercise, that is not easy to control. Can we expect any government to have the time and care necessary to properly manage stadium when their affairs cannot be managed?

The government should be advised that whatever price is suggested by Jack and FIFA should be negotiated, because it is only JACK and FIFA that can benefit from this, as all the advertising revenue both TV rights and Stadium rights for advertising will be at there collective best during the tournament, and after that they will bot dissipate.

That is why these stadiums should have been limited in size and increased in terms of sporting disciplines that can be utilized, instead of essentially being made into oversized football grounds.

If someone did not better, it could be assumed that Jack has this plan so well, that in the next year, several of the teams in his semiprofessional league will now have adopted home grounds at some ridiculous nominal rent.

So please, will the Ministry of sport or the Minister of CRICKET in sport alleviate all our concerns and tell all of us, what is the real deal with the stadiums.

The longer we continue to doubt the benefits of these stadiums and the longer the secrets are kept by the contractors and architects, then we have to question a lot of things. There have been a lot of claims that the Arima Race Club new sand surface was poorly constructed and from all indicators it is the same contractors that are being used on the new stadiums, so this states, how good it is to be a good bedfellow of someone in high position, such as our JACK

On recent evidence, one must answer in the affirmative to all the above questions, and state that at the rate Burrell is going he is set to yet again carry his underdog Jamaican team to another World Cup Finals.

Burrell and his crew last weekend emphasized the need for Trinidad and Tobago to include the unfit Dwight Yorke and his liming partner Russell Lataphy in the team to oppose Jamaica in a friendly.

Promptly upon receiving notification of this, Burrell's Jamaica sacks five overseas players for petulant behaviour and fools everyone into believing that the match will be a walkover. Jack is even taken for a ride, as he makes certain promises, which he cannot keep, and this leads to several upset Jamaicans after they outfoxed Trinidad and Tobago 4-2 in the friendly match. Trinidad and Tobago improve and defeat Canada 2-0 in their opening World Cup second round match but there are still several unanswered questions.

Whether or not, Trinidad and Tobago make it to Japan for the next World Cup, we should be sensible enough to admit, that Burrell's Jamaican consisting of a few overseas professionals, looks more like a team, than the assembled cast of actors from abroad that play as Trinidad and Tobago.

For that reason and that reason alone, Burrell is obviously a shrewder footballing man than our Jack. While Jack has meander in and out of Trinidad and Tobago Football at his own convenience, Burrell has remained a permanent fixture in the Jamaican football machinery. Perhaps it is not all our boy Jack's fault, because like it or not, he has been busy with world business, wheeling and dealing to ensure that the 2006 World Cup goes the way the CONCACAF wanted.

Naturally as seems to be our Jack's luck, he has failed at that too. He wanted England, they were booted out of contention, then he wanted South Africa, and they also lost to Germany. It is just this sort of bad luck which emanates from Jack's persona, that our National Football team could do without.

Jack sorely wanted a foreign coach after Trinidad and Tobago's best ever performance in an international tournament, when they lost in the semi-final of the Gold Cup to Canada and he hired Scottish journeyman Ian Porterfield for a job, he now seems clearly unsuited.

Meanwhile in the land of reggae, and not sugar and spice like Trinidad and Tobago, Burrell stuck to his guns and wanted a Brazilian even as one Brazilian resigned, he has recognized that this style of football is what best suits his Caribbean team. Jack on the other hand seems to still live in the colonial backward times of the -White Man - knows better. If Jack was as thoughtful as Burrell he would have by simple calculation (and Jack was a schoolteacher like Harold Taylor) realized that Scotland have never won the World Cup and probably never will unlike Brazil.

There is further evidence of the monopoly on brains that Burrell possesses over our Jack, when we examine the emphasis that Jack and his cohorts have placed on the appearance of overseas based players at important matches, sometimes the Trinidad and Tobago team can include upwards of eight (8) overseas based players. Where can the continuity and team play come from then?

Jamaica have built a team primarily around locally based skilled players and by exposure allowed these players to grow in the positions, the overseas based Jamaicans are just superfluous to all of this.

In this regard, while the Trinidad and Tobago team players were on holidays from their overseas clubs and eating, partying and just sleeping, the Jamaican team was in constant training. Even the workmanlike Porterfield saw it fit to take a holiday out of this country, such it seems is his lack of concern over Trinidad and Tobago's qualification for the World Cup.

Burrell it seems should be the next Caribbean Man to succeed in the world of FIFA football, because he has been able to arrange quality matches against quality opposition, tours to Brazil and the United States, while all our careless Jack can do, is arrange fete matches against the other minnows of Caribbean soccer.

We have to ask who really wants to succeed, is it Burrell or is it Jack? On evidence, it is clear that Burrell is way out in front and his beloved country of Jamaica can never fault this proud countryman for his resolve.

Let's all sit back and think clearly if we can say the same about Jack Warner who was born in Trinidad and Tobago.