Burrell ... we have to realise that they too have invested heavily in the players so they are well within their rights.

Norwegian club Aalesund FK have baulked at a request by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) to release internationals Khari Stephenson and Demar Phillips for a monthlong training camp, ahead of the country's friendly match against Canada at the end of January.

According to a report carried in Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten, a letter sent to the club by the JFF had asked that both players be allowed to join the national team for the period December 28 through to February 10.

With Aalesund expected to begin their preseason preparation in a matter of days, the request has not gone down well with AaFK director, Henrik Hoff, despite the fact that the Norwegian outfit is not slated to kick things off in the Tippeligaen (Norway premiership) until early March.

Hoff, who described the request as "unacceptable", is adamant that both players join the team for the training camp in Gran Canaria on January 2, and stated that such a long training camp is simply out of the question.

President of the JFF, Captain Horace Burrell, said that the federation has little issue with the stance taken by the club.

"We have to realise that they, too, have invested heavily in the players so they are well within their rights. With the match date being outside of the FIFA period they are not required to release their players for a training camp. However, there has been no indication given that they will not be released for the friendly," Burrell said.

"With the players on break and the season not scheduled to kick off until March, we had hoped that they would be available, but we have already advised them that they will have to return to their clubs," he added.

"The relationship that we have with the clubs is currently one which requires understanding and there are even times that we bend the rules in order to arrive at a compromise."

Despite not booking a place in this summer's World Cup, the Jamaicans, who finished the year ranked at 81st, must take part in friendly internationals in order to ensure that the team and country remain ranked in FIFA's top 70 listing.

Falling below that target could prevent several players currently plying their trade in the United Kingdom, and those desirous of doing so, from acquiring work permits.

According to Burrell, the federation has set a target of one friendly international per month. However, the cooperation of the clubs will indeed be required, as a few of the match dates may fall outside of the FIFA period.