Yak to return

Middlesbrough's Yakubu Aiyegbeni has insisted he is available to play for his country.

Nigeria striker Yakubu had a high-profile falling out with coach Austin Eguavoen before the African Cup of Nations in February.

As a result he missed the finals, but now he is ready to play for The Super Eagles once again.

"I never said I won't play for Nigeria any more because Nigeria is my country, my fatherland," he told a Lagus radio station.

"Whenever they call me, I will be ready to play, as long as I am free.

"We are blessed with talented players in Nigeria, which most countries in Africa cannot boast of.

"But preparation [for tournaments] has always been our problem.

"If we prepare very well, winning the next Nations Cup or even the World Cup will not be a headache."