Neil Etheridge. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—First-choice keeper Neil Etheridge is joining the men’s national football squad in the AFF Suzuki Cup, after all.
Etheridge finally got the green light from his club Bristol Rovers to fulfill his duties with the national team even with the Football League Two still ongoing.
In an article in the club’s official website, manager Mark McGhee revealed that Etheridge will miss the next two games of the Rovers as he travels to join the Azkals.
It still comes as a relief for the Azkals’ side—although the goal-keeping problem seemed to have ironed itself out when Ed Sacapaño showed brilliance in 1-0 win over Singapore.
The 22-year-old keeper is a familiar figure in the Suzuki Cup, the tournament which altered the course of football in the country.
Etheridge was earlier ruled unavailable for the Suzuki Cup for reportedly choosing to help his squad, which just got drubbed 0-4 by Port Vale Tuesday.
Almost most of the squad have already settled in Bangkok, as Philippines clashes with Thailand on Saturday at the start of group stages of the biennial competition.