Bobby Zamora has revealed why he would rather go to the Orient than Jamaica.

Albion's wonder boy could have been involved in Trinidad and Tobago's opening World Cup qualifier against Jamaica in Kingston on February 28.

But the Seagulls make a key visit to Leyton Orient three days later and Zamora is concentrating all his efforts this season on the promotion bid.

Zamora has been facing up to an international dilemma. His father, who runs a mental health authority in north London, was born and brought up in Trinidad.

His Spanish name was derived from his mother's side, but she was born along the coast in Bournemouth and he therefore qualifies to play for England as well.

Trinidad's World Cup squad already contains a number of players plying their trade in England, headed by Manchester United marksman Dwight Yorke and West Ham goalkeeper Shaka Hislop.

Others include Ian Cox (Burnley), Stern John (Nottingham Forest), Tony Rougier (Reading) Ronnie Mauge (Bristol Rovers) and Hibernian duo Russell Latapy and Lyndon Andrews.

Coach Ian Porterfield is always on the lookout for new talent and the former Sunderland FA Cup final hero was alerted to Zamora's dual qualification.

Porterfield took in Albion's 2-0 win against Exeter at Withdean during a scouting mission to England before Christmas.

Zamora for once failed to score, but Porterfield saw enough to follow up his interest. He invited the prolific 20-year-old to join Trinidad's training camp in England and Zamora was all set to team up with them last Sunday, Monday and Tuesday at Arsenal's London Colney headquarters.

Boss Micky Adams gave him the go ahead, but an ankle injury sustained after slotting his 20th goal of the season against Cardiff wrecked those plans. Zamora said: "Ian Porterfield asked me to go down and train with the boys to see the situation.

"If he liked me and I liked it then it would have been in my hands.

"I haven't made any decisions at the moment. I just want to keep my options open.

"I am still young and at this present moment of time I don't want to leave the team to play in World Cup qualifiers, because we are doing so well.

"I've got plenty of time to further things if I want to. Obviously it was disappointing. It would have been nice to train alongside loads of great players.

"The ankle was a little bit too sore to run off and rather than risk any major damage I came off to rest up. The gaffer wanted me in for treatment then on Sunday, which is fair enough."

Trinidad lost 3-0 to a Charlton X1 on Tuesday. They complete their World Cup preparations at Stevenage next Tuesday while Zamora will be trying to add to his tally against in-form Blackpool.

Trinidad are in the CONCACAF zone with Jamaica, Costa Rica, Mexico, Honduras and the United States. They play Costa Rica next month and Mexico in April, then the qualifying campaign resumes in the summer.

It is a difficult balancing act for Adams. He does not want to hinder Zamora's international prospects, but Albion's interests come first.

There is also the future possibility of an England call-up for the young hot shot to consider.

"I think it is a tremendous honour for anybody to be picked for his country, but Bobby had to decide what he wanted to do this season," said Adams.

"Is he going to get in front of the likes of Dwight Yorke? Also he would be away from the club for a long time, which we could do without."