John Barnes - Ian Allen

Newly appointed national coach, John Barnes, will immediately turn his attention to winning the Digicel Caribbean Championships and has expressed confidence in the local-based players who will comprise the team.

"I don't see much difference between the local players and the ones from overseas," Barnes said on arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport yesterday.

"They have had the opportunity to play abroad but in terms of the talent level they are around the same.

"In the games that I went to while I was here, there was a lot of talent, there was a lot of discipline and I am looking forward to working with the players," added Barnes, whose contract begins tomorrow.

Digicel Caribbean Championships

The final round of the Digicel Caribbean Championships will kick off in Jamaica on December 15. The overseas-based players will be unavailable for selection, allowing more spots for local players.

The Jamaican-born Barnes, a former England international, was announced as René Simoes' replacement in early September. However, he was unable to officially begin duties because of a prior contractual obligation with a media house.

Barnes had, however, travelled to the island to witness both of Jamaica's World Cup Qualifier victories over Honduras and Mexico earlier this month with interim coach Theodore Whitmore in charge.

One-week camp

Barnes and Whitmore will lead the squad to the Cayman Islands next Monday for a one-week camp. The Reggae Boyz will play an invitational team and the Cayman Islands national team, which is coached by former Jamaica coach Carl Brown.

Upon arrival yesterday, Barnes was presented with a BMW X3 SUV, courtesy of national team sponsor, Stewart's Auto Sales. Representatives of Digicel also presented Barnes with a Black-berry mobile phone.