Oluwashina Okeleji BBC Sport, Lagos

Yakubu had a spat with coach Berti Vogts last month

Yakubu's international future has come under intense media scrutiny after a spat with coach Berti Vogts last month.

The forward was furious after being left on the bench for the Nations Cup qualifier against Lesotho.

He had an argument with the German and was only persuaded by Vogts' assistants to take his place on the bench.

Eight other England-based players were named in the squad for the match at Craven Cottage on 17 November.

But Ademola Olajire, spokesman for the Nigerian Football Association, played down the significance of Yakubu's absence.

"The squad is a still strong one without Yakubu and everyone is sure of a good result in England," Olajire told BBC Sport.

The Super Eagles drew 2-2 with Mexico in their last friendly game played in Juarez in Mexico City.

Nigeria are preparing for next year's African Cup of Nations in Ghana.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Austin Ejide ( Bastia, France), Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei-Yehuda, Israel )

Defenders: Taye Taiwo (Marseille, France), Obinna Nwaneri (Sion, Switzerland), Danny Shittu (Watford, England), Rabiu Afolabi (Sochaux, France), Joseph Yobo (Everton, England), Ifeanyi Emeghara (Steau Bucharest, Romania)

Midfielders: Dickson Etuhu (Sunderland, England), Mikel Jon Obi (Chelsea, England), Seyi Olofinjana (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Onyekachi Okonkwo (Zurich, Switzerland), Richard Eromoigbe (Levski Sofia, Bulgaria) Kazeem Ayila Yusuf (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine)

Strikers: Ikechukwu Uche (Getafe, Spain), Ayodele Makinwa (Lazio, Italy) Obafemi Martins (Newcastle United, England), Manasseh Ishiaku (Duisburg, Germany), Nwankwo Kanu, John Utaka (both Portsmouth, England), Osaze Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia)