Source: Man_City
Onuoha turns back on Fabio
Nedum Onuoha is ready to turn his back on England and play for Nigeria in the World Cup. The City defender rebuffed an approach from the country of his birth in 2007, as he hoped to force his way into the England side. But now, with Fabio Capello's squad sporting several top-class centre-halves and Onuoha finding it tough to break into City's first team, he admits he would welcome any further overtures from Nigeria coach Lars Lagerback. But the former England Under-21 international knows he has to perform for City during the final few weeks of the season if he is to win a place in South Africa, and has firmly set his sights first on helping the Blues secure a place in the top four of the Premier League. Onuoha made his first league start of 2010 in the 6-1 thumping of Burnley on Saturday after Micah Richards suffered a knee injury and Pablo Zabaleta was suspended. But Richards is expected to be fit for Sunday's visit of Birmingham to Eastlands, and the Blues' defence will be further boosted by the return of Wayne Bridge. Now Onuoha is hoping he did enough at Turf Moor to persuade manager Roberto Mancini to give him a chance against Birmingham, and enhance his hopes of playing in the World Cup. "I'd like to play in the remaining six games for City, and if I did that maybe the chance would be there to play for Nigeria," said Onuoha. "But if I am not playing week in, week out, I wouldn't expect to receive a call from anyone, because it wouldn't be right. "Everyone wants to play in the World Cup, but things have to be right and you have to be selected. A lot of people are talking about it as though it is an option, but I have never been called up, so it's not something I can really talk about." Bridge was expected back in training today, while Stevie Ireland is now over his ankle problem and should further bolster the squad for the clash with Birmingham. Reserve keeper Stuart Taylor needs surgery on a knee injury, which means Faroe Islands international Gunnar Nielsen will keep his place as Shay Given's understudy. Longer term, Martin Petrov (knee) may be back in contention for the Manchester derby on April 17, while Joleon Lescott (hamstring tendon) is still at least two weeks away from returning to training. | Submit Comments| Comments (37)| PrintWhat's this? Emaildel.icio.usDiggredditFacebookStumbleUponNewsvineGoogle BookmarksNetscapeTechnoratiWindows LiveYahoo! MyWebMa.gnolia
