Bolton defender Danny Shittu is refusing to allow his Reebok exile to destroy his World Cup dream.
Out of favour defender confident of grabbing a seat on Nigeria plane
Bolton defender Danny Shittu is refusing to allow his Reebok Stadium exile to destroy his World Cup dream.
The 29-year-old Nigeria international expects to make the squad which will travel to South Africa next summer, despite not featuring at club level this season.
Through injury, Shittu missed his country's 3-2 win over Kenya earlier this month which sealed their place in the tournament next summer.
However, having played in every other qualifier prior to their final game, Shittu expects to be on the plane despite being out of club boss Gary Megson's plans.
"I had featured in all the qualifiers so I was disappointed to miss the final game," Shittu told the
Manchester Evening News.
"But I feel like I have played my part though because it was myself and Joseph Yobo who were the centre-half pairing all the way through.
"I felt like I had let the side down because we have had a settled squad. However, everyone who went out there did it for Nigeria and that is what is really important."
With the groups for South Africa 2010 set to be drawn in Cape Town next week, Shittu is unconcerned over who Nigeria meet as he feels they have the ability to match anyone in the draw.
"It doesn't matter who we draw in our group because Nigeria is a big footballing country," he stated.
"There is God and football - those are the two main things over there."
Shittu has made just 10 league appearances since his £2m move in August 2008 and rejected a loan move to Sheffield United earlier in the year.
With 18 months left on his contract, manager Megson is expected to offload the centre-half in January and Shittu will surely be keen to gain some fitness ahead of the finals.
