Ayegbeni is back at Portsmouth

The striker, along with Celestine Babayaro and Victor Agali, was sent home by the Nigeria FA for breaking a curfew.

"Yakubu feels it is a great honour to play for his country," Portsmouth chief Peter Storrie told the club website.

"However, the way he was sent home and the stories given out by the Nigerian FA have left him extremely sad."

Storrie added: "He and the two other players were doing no more than enjoying a quiet coffee within the confines of the club headquarters."

Nigeria trio thrown out

"Because of the false stories which have come out he has been the centre of media attention for entirely wrong and unjustified reasons.

"The player would like the Nigeria fans to understand his position and says he loves his country will all his heart but has been placed in an impossible situation and can't contemplate returning."

Nigeria recall axed players

It was announced on Wednesday that the trio were going to be recalled back to the Nigeria setup, just five days after being kicked out for indiscipline.

"The suspension has been lifted," said national team coach Christian Chukwu.

"The players made mistakes. They asked the country to forgive them and the country has forgiven them. If they want to come back, they can."