GFA heads to Portugal without Casciaro

Lincoln Red Imps’ Lee Casciaro will not form part of the 23-man Gibraltar squad heading for Portugal this bank holiday weekend to face Portugal and Greece next week.

The final 23 man squad was announced by the Gibraltar Football Association at midday yesterday, with Lee Casciaro and Jake Gosling among the players who will not be playing.

As was reported last week, Casciaro was expected to drop out of the squad because his partner is expecting a baby just days before the first match against European champions Portugal.

Although it was still uncertain whether he would be able to attend the Greece match five days later, the final 23-man selection was announced yesterday and he was not on the team.

Casciaro’s absence from the final 23 man squad will be a major blow for the squad.

His winning goal against Celtic during Lincoln Red Imp’s Champions League qualifier momentarily placed him in the limelight as a “hero” in the international media.

Gosling, who recently moved on loan to Cambridge Unite, dropped out voluntarily citing his move as the main reason.

Also out is Jack Sergeant, from Manchester 62, who is also said to have been unavailable to play.