Lauren to make Cameroon return

The Gunners defender announced his retirement from the international stage in December 2002 in a bid to focus on his club commitments with the North London giants.

Highbury chief Arsene Wenger made it quite clear that he was unhappy with the amount of action the African was missing by playing for his country, and Lauren thus agreed to call time on his days with the 'Indomitable Lions'.

However, the player has now had a change of heart, and Schaafer revealed to skysports.com that the former Mallorca man was now ready to help his country qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

"I have spoken with the player (Lauren) and we have convinced him how important his work is to the team," declared the Cameroon coach.

"I will be able to count on him for the qualification games for the 2006 World Cup in Germany."

Schaafer admitted he had even tried to persuade the 27-year-old to return for the forthcoming African Cup of Nations in Tunisia, but accepted that the player's club commitments made it impossible.

Despite Lauren's absence, though, he remained confident about his side's chances in the tournament.

"To come to this cup would have been very difficult for him, after the pledges he made to his club, and the last thing I wanted to do was force him and cause him problems at Arsenal," he added.

"We have a young team but with a lot of physical power, technique and discipline.

"I don't just say this because I am the coach, but we must be included amongst the favourites along with Tunisia, Nigeria and Senegal."

News of Lauren's decision is sure to displease Wenger who has often bemoaned the plight of clubs in cases of dispute with international teams.