Overseas-based Reggae Boy Khari Stephenson has expressed his delight at being back in the national fold.

"I am looking forward to it because it has been over a year since I have been a part of the national programme and it's always a great feeling to come back and represent the country," said Stephenson in an interview with Star Sports on his arrival at the Norman ManleyInternational Airport yesterday.

friendly game

Arriving with Stephenson was his clubmate at Norwegian Aalesunds, Demar Phillips. Jamal Campbell-Rice of English Championships side Barnsley, and Rodolph Austin of SK Brann completed the arrivals, who will join the rest of the squad, already in training, ahead of Sunday's friendly against Panama.

Stephenson, who last represented Jamaica against Trinidad and Tobago in a friendly game in 2008, added that he is also looking forward to working with national coach John Barnes and his younger teammates.

"It is always good to play with new footballers and even at my age you can still learn something new from the players and they can also learn something from me," Stephenson said.

"I think that with my experience out there the football will speak for itself and my presence on the field will show," he said.

Meanwhile, Phillips, who last represented Jamaica at the Digicel Caribbean Championships in December last year, said he is looking forward to Sunday's match.

"I am going out there to do my best because I always bring my A game whenever I wear the national colours," he said.

"It is not going to just be me alone, it's a team game and so the team has to go out there on Sunday and do their their best."

Pertaining to pro football, Phillips claims to be adapting well to the rigours of the Norwegian competition.

"It is a very competitive league and you have to be very strong and physical in Norway because they play similar to the England style of game," he said.

"I just have to always make sure that whenever I go out on the pitch I always to do my best."