Jay Jay Okocha has admitted that his African Nations Cup exploits with Nigeria are affecting his performances in the Premiership for Bolton. The midfielder has looked a shadow of his former self since returning from Tunisia, where Nigeria finished third.
And he said: "I played six games in under three weeks and the travelling and stress took a lot out of me.
"I know I can't play well every week and I deserved to be replaced at the weekend in the defeat at Birmingham."
Okocha insists though that the uncertainty surrounding his future at Bolton is not proving a distraction.
He added: "What is going to happen at the end of the season is not stopping me.
"I'm not really thinking about it because no matter what, I'll still be a Bolton player until then and I owe them the obligation to perform.
"I have to pick myself up and get back to my best again - you expect your team-mates to help you but sometimes I think they forget that I might need help."
MMIX
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