The Swansea City striker was expected to join up with his international team mates for next week’s World Cup qualifier but has been given permission to stay in Wales as the Swans make their plans for trying to get past their Premiership opponents.
The news is a major boost for Roberto who has always been concerned at the amount the travelling takes out of Scotland when he has important games just a few days later.
Scotland told the official site “Personally it’s great that I have been allowed to stay back and play the FA Cup match for Swansea because it’s obviously a massive game for us
“It’s a great opportunity for me and the club, but at the same time I know how important the game against El Salvador is. So in saying that, I also want to state on record that I’m not turning my back on my country. But after we looked at the situation closer, the decision was made to allow me to remain at Swansea.
“Thankfully there has been good communication and understanding between Swansea and Trinidad and Tobago.
“At this stage it’s a good outcome, but I have also told the manager (Roberto Martinez) that I have all intentions of representing my country in future matches once I’m selected.”
Whilst Russell Lapty the T&T assistant coach said “They asked for him to be excused. We have said to them, well okay we don’t have a problem. But also in the future we expect that they will be understanding of our needs and situation when it’s a case that we need the player to be available to us.
“These are how relationships between managers, clubs and countries are likely to develop into even better ones to make it easier for dealing with when such situations arise.”
