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Image source, Jersey FA
Jack Cannon is Jersey's most-capped player and won Island Games gold in 2009
Jersey men's football manager Jack Cannon says he has picked the best squad he could for the forthcoming Island Games.
Only experienced forward Karl Hinds returns from the squad that won gold in Guernsey two years ago.
All of his Jersey Bulls teammates have opted not to travel to Orkney this summer as the island club side prepare for their first campaign in the Isthmian League following promotion last season.
It means Cannon, who is going to his first Island Games as a coach, having won gold as a player in 2009, has been forced to pick a young squad for the tournament.
"Out of the 28 players I think represented Jersey Bulls last season just gone, there's only Karl Hinds that's available to us," Cannon told BBC Radio Jersey.
"It's largely down to other commitments for the players, some not wanting to be selected, which is fine, the financial outlay.
"So it's various reasons but we've selected the best possible squad available to us."
Image source, Lauren Trachy
Former Jersey Bulls forward Karl Hinds will play at his third Island Games, having represented Jersey in 2015 and 2017
Jersey go into the tournament as the most successful side in Island Games history, having won four gold medals.
That record will not change after Orkney as Guernsey and the Isle of Wight, also multiple gold medallists, are not taking part.
Cannon hopes the experience his young players gain from the tournament will aid their development in the future:
"We always set out to win football matches and sometimes that doesn't happen, but I think the big thing for us is acknowledging the fact that we've got a young, inexperienced team in terms of island representative football," he said.
"But with that obviously you've got a different outlook on things and I think just individual progressions is a big thing, progression as a team.
"We've got the Under-21 Muratti coming up in November as well, so a large number of this squad will be involved in that
"So there's pros and cons to everything, but I think it's just remaining positive and obviously wanting to go there and have a good experience, the individual players to progress themselves, and enjoy the week."
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