Babayaro returns after a year's absence

Eight England-based players were included in Nigeria's 35-strong provisional squad for next year's African Nations Cup tournament in Tunisia.

Taiwo Ogunjobi, secretary-general of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), said he had asked the national team's local coach Christian Chukwu to submit the list of players.

Chukwu had been the Super Eagles caretaker manager before the NFA appointed former England captain Bryan Robson as the coach to take the side to Tunisia.

The squad includes captain Austin 'Jay-Jay' Okocha, strikers Nwankwo Kanu and Yakubu Ayegbeni and defenders Isaac Okoronkwo, Joseph Yobo and Celestine Babayaro, who are all with English premier league clubs.

Defenders George Abbey and Ogbonna Kanu play for English league clubs Peterborough United and Macclesfield Town respectively.

Babayaro last played for Nigeria at the 2002 World Cup, while Germany-based striker Victor Agali joins the squad for the first time since last year's Nations Cup finals in Mali.

Only nine of the 35-man squad are with domestic clubs.

The NFA secretary-general said the Super Eagles would prepare for the Nations Cup finals in the Portuguese resort of Faro or Manchester, England.

Nigeria, Nations Cup winners in 1980 and 1994, have been grouped with the unfancied Benin Republic and former winners South Africa and Morocco in the first round of matches.

Meanwhile, Bryan Robson is expected in the country on Saturday to sign his six-month managerial contract.

Provisional squad

Goalkeepers: Austin Ejide (Etiole, Tunisia), Vincent Enyeama (Enyimba, Nigeria), Sunday Rotimi (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria), Sam Okoye (Rangers, Nigeria).
Defenders: Joseph Yobo (Everton, England), Isaac Okoronkwo (Newcastle United, England), Rabiu Afolabi and Joseph Enakarhire (both Standard Liege, Belgium), Ifeanyi Udeze (PAOK Salonica, Greece), Celestine Babayaro (Chelsea, England), Ogbonna Kanu (Peterborough United, England), George Abbey (Macclesfield Town, England), Patrick Ovie (Krylya Sovetov, Russia), Romanus Orjinta (Enyimba, Nigeria), Benedict Idahor (Iwuanyanwu Nationale, Nigeria), Seyi Olajengbesi (Julius Berger, Nigeria).
Midfielders: Austin 'Jay-Jay' Okocha (Bolton Wanderers, England), Christian Obodo (Perugia, Italy), Seyi Olofinjana (SK Brann, Norway), Karibe Ojigwe (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Bob Osim (Iwuanyanwu Nationale, Nigeria), Ikpe Ekong (Reggina, Italy), Uche Kalu (Wislaw Krakow), John Utaka (Lens, France)
Strikers: Bartholomew Ogbeche (PSG, France), Benedict Akwuegbu (Graz AK, Austria), Victor Agali (Schalke, Germany), Obafemi Martins (Inter Milan, Italy), Julius Aghahowa (Shaktar Donetsk, Ukraine), Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Portsmouth, England), Osaze Odemwingie (La Louviere, Belgium), Ahmed Garba (Kano Pillars, Nigeria), Ishola Shaibu (Julius Berger, Nigeria), Peter Ijeh (Malmo, Sweden), Nwankwo Kanu (Arsenal, England)

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