Huddersfield Town star Nahki Wells is putting club before country.
The 25-year-old Bermuda skipper has all but ruled himself out of the big World Cup qualifier in Guatemala on Friday.
And he will only play in the CONCACAF second round, second leg game back in Bermuda next Monday if he has fully recovered from a left ankle injury picked up in training with the national team.
Having had previous surgery on the joint, the 25-year-old striker is taking a no-risk approach.
His absence would be a big blow to Bermuda, who beat Bahamas in first-round qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.
But Wells, who was Town’s 14-goal top scorer in the campaign just finished and has scored five goals in eight games for Bermuda, wants to be sure he is fit for pre-season training, which starts on July 1.
“Ultimately I have a job, I have a career, and playing for Bermuda is not my job,” said Wells, Town’s club-record £1.3m signing.
“Obviously I want to do everything I can to help my country, but I have to go back to my club as healthy as possible.
“I can’t afford to return to Huddersfield with an injury issue.
“The reality is that playing on Friday could hinder that. If my ankle is not right, it won’t happen.
“People who understand football know I have to do what’s best for me.
“I have spoken to (Bermuda coach) Andrew Bascome and he told me I have to do what’s right for my career.”
Of his injury, Wells explained: “It was a freak thing, I just blocked a clearance and twisted my ankle.
”Since then it’s reacted in ways I didn’t expect and it’s definitely a recurrence of a problem I previously had.
“That’s why I have to be extra careful and cautious. I can’t be as reckless as I was as a teenager when I really injured it.
“I’ll be doing all I can to get fit, but I don’t think I will make the game in Guatemala.”
