By Martin Etonge BBC Sport, Yaounde

Schafer requires Kalla's experience

Cameroon's head coach Winfried Schafer has admitted he still needs central defender Raymond Kalla in the national team.

Schafer says he has not found a suitable replacement for him.

"I need Kalla back because we are facing some small difficulties in the defence and it will be a good thing if he joins the group," Schafer told sports magazine Global Foot.

"Kalla was injured and was not in form. But now I need him."

After a poor World Cup 2002 performance, players like Kalla were singled out and criticised as being past their prime.

Kalla, 28, who plays for German side Vfl Bochum responded by announcing his retirement from the squad, saying he wanted to concentrate on his club career.

The Lions have lost two of their four friendlies this year, including a 3-0 defeat to Ivory Coast.

Apart from the defence, Schafer says his side is desperately in need of an effective marksman.

"The major problem in Cameroon has always been the lack of a professional scorer, though there have been exceptions like Mboma and Milla."

Schafer is still trying to convince Lauren Etame Mayer to reverse his decision to retire from international football.