Fletcher eyes January return

After almost a year on the sidelines through injury, Waterhouse FC midfielder Andre Fletcher is targeting a return to competitive action for the Drewsland-based club in January.

Fletcher underwent surgery on February 27 to repair anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus damage to his left knee after a lengthy battle with an injury that had hampered him for nearly two years.

The 27-year-old made just four appearances for Waterhouse last season before his final outing in October, but he said his rehabilitation is progressing well and remains determined to return only when he is fully fit.

“I have been doing a lot of strengthening work and running, and this has been going well for me. I am feeling very good about it,” Fletcher said.

“I am just taking it one step at a time because I want to be 110 per cent ready before I start to play again. I really miss playing football because football is everything for me. This is what I grew up doing all my life, and so I just can’t wait to get back out there onto the field of play to enjoy doing what I love,” he said.

Fletcher, who was Waterhouse’s leading goalscorer during the 2024-25 season with 14 goals, added that he has maintained a positive mindset throughout his rehabilitation.

“My mindset is in a good place because, as a football player, you are going to have your ups and downs, and so you just have to keep focused, and that is what I have been doing right now,” he said.

Fletcher has set January as his target for a return and is hopeful of being available for selection by then.

“I am looking forward to starting playing in January. This is my goal, so by this time I will be up and running and ready for selection on the team,” he said.

Fletcher, who was born and raised in the Waterhouse community, said he is also encouraged by the squad assembled by the club and believes they can enjoy a successful season.

“We have a good squad because we have signed some really good players, and so we just have to trust and believe in the players, and we also have to execute the game plan every time that we step out there,” he said.

He also backed the club’s new head coach, Donovan Duckie, to guide the team to a strong campaign.

“We know that this is the Premier League, and it is a very tough league, so we have to make sure that we are ready at all times to deliver in each and every game,” he said.

“Duckie is a really good coach and he is very experienced, and so we are looking forward to achieving great things because the philosophy that he comes in with is really good. So we are just hoping for the best this season.”

Waterhouse reached the quarter-finals of last season’s Jamaica Premier League competition.