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Bolton playmaker Jay-Jay Okocha has decided to play in only World Cup qualifiers for Nigeria and not friendly fixtures.
Bolton playmaker Jay-Jay Okocha has decided to play in only World Cup qualifiers for Nigeria and not friendly fixtures.
Okocha believes his decision will benefit Bolton and perhaps prolong his career. He, by his own admission, had a dip in form last season when he picked up several injuries on the back of long trips with Nigeria.
Now he aims to cut back on his commitments and said: "I have tried to find the best solution. You have to listen to your own body. I'm getting too old for too many games. Hopefully I can now get back to my best form."
Bolton are a mix of nationalities and now Japan midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata is set to step on board.
Okocha said: "Yes we have a lot of foreign players but we have one ambition and that is to do well for Bolton.
"As footballers we all speak the same language and we enjoy our time here."
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce is hoping to get a work permit for Nakata by the beginning of next week after Fiorentina agreed to his release on a 12-month loan deal.
Allardyce said: "We don't feel there will be a problem with the work permit.
"He has missed a number of international matches but through injury. But he would have played in those games if fit."