Nafti has fallen out with his country

Nafti would normally be part of the Tunisian side which will take on Guinea on Wenesday in their first fixture of the new season.

But the 29-year-old Birmingham star has fallen out with his country and has to weigh up whether to make himself available for the African Nations Cup in February.

Nafti said: "We play Guinea tonight [Wednesday] but I shall not be there. It is something I don't really want to talk about but I have had a few problems.

"They are not with the manager but with the administration side of things. For me, the national team at the moment is the last thing on my mind.

"There is the African Cup coming up in February so I have to think about things and we will wait and see what happens. That's all I want to say."

Nafti is hoping the injury problems which have dogged him since arriving at St Andrews from Racing Santander more than two years ago are finally behind him.

He has started Birmingham City's opening three matches of the new English Premier League campaign against Chelsea, Sunderland and West Ham.

He said: "I have benefited from my first proper pre-season in about six years.

"Before I've either been injured or involved in the World Cup or Confederations Cup during the summer.

"It's been great just to have had a normal summer for once, have seven weeks off and get in a proper pre-season.