Daniel Johnson finally handed international call-up ahead of major tournament

Finally, FINALLY, it’s happened. Daniel Johnson has been called up by Jamaica.

Throughout his time at Preston, this has been a bizarre situation. Teammates Chris Humphrey and Jermaine Beckford were often called up, but Johnson wasn’t to be seen.

Even after 17 goals in two seasons from midfield, Johnson wasn’t called up. His continued omission was baffling. It’s not even like he was born in England and had been considering other options. He was born in Kingston, before moving to England at a youth age.

Now, at the end of his fourth successive season in the Championship, Johnson has finally been called up. Boss Theodore Whitmore has named a 40-man provisional squad for the Gold Cup this summer, which will be reduced to 23 next month.

Some of the most interesting names in the squad are Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey, who has so far resisted call-ups to the squad, and former Manchester United playmaker Ravel Morrison.

Johnson’s call-up is fascinating though, as after years in the wilderness, he could now feature in a major tournament with his country. Jamaica, one of the hosts of this summer’s Gold Cup, will be taking on Curacao, El Salvador and Honduras in the group stage of the tournament.

Johnson will be hoping to make the final squad, and make an impact on the big stage. It may mean that his return to action for Preston would be delayed, but after such a long wait for a call-up, few would begrudge him a summer away with the Reggae Boyz.