Football Focus Sat 20 Dec, 1210 BST BBC One

Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce is incensed that his captain will miss crucial Carling Cup and Premiership games because of Nigeria's involvement in the tournament.

"It's something I can't do anything about - my country needs me as well as my club," Okocha told BBC One's Football Focus.

"It's a duty that I can't refuse. Even before I came to Bolton they knew I was a national team player.

"I'm trying to compromise not to leave Bolton early and I'm trying to stay here for as long as I can and then join the Nigerian team later on.

Okocha urged to quit Nigeria

"I have to go but I have a lot of confidence in the Bolton squad that they will do alright without me."

Okocha is due to fly out shortly after the match against Manchester United on 7 January and could be away for five weeks.

But the 30-year-old is confident Bolton have enough quality in the squad to cope with his absence.

He said: "We are all professionals and it is a team game. I believe we have got enough good players to be able to carry on while I'm away.

African Nations Cup: TV coverage

"We have a lot of mature players who can take on that responsibility."

Nigeria, who have won the Nations Cup twice before, have been drawn in Group D alongside Morocco, South Africa and debutants Benin.

The Nations Cup gets underway in Tunisia on 24 January and will end on 14 February.