© Reuters Limited 2001

PORT OF SPAIN, June 27 (Reuters) - Veteran midfielder Theodore Whitmore has been axed from Jamaica's squad for the country's World Cup qualifying game against Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday in Port-Of-Spain.

Whitmore, who represented Jamaica in their debut World Cup final appearance in France three years ago, and scored twice against Japan to give the Reggae Boyz their first ever finals win, failed to report to the team's training camp on Monday.

"I have neither seen nor heard from him and action must be taken," said team technical director Clovis de Oliviera.

The decision to drop the midfielder will please Jamaican football fans, who have been calling for Whitmore to be dropped after a series of poor performances.

In other squad news, Keith Kelly has been drafted in to replace the injured Fabian Taylor, and Ricardo Gardner returns from suspension to replace Barry Hayles.