Nigeria handed boost in pursuit of Eagles star after his omission from latest England squad

The Nigeria Football Federation have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze after his omission from the latest England roster announced by the English Football Association on Tuesday afternoon, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

Speculation was rife that the Eagles attacking midfielder was in serious contention to earn his first call-up to the Three Lions after his strong finish to the 2021-2022 season.

And those rumours were fueled when manager Gareth Southgate was spotted at Goodison Park during Crystal Palace's 3-2 loss to Everton on Thursday, May 19.

Eze gave a good account of himself in front of the watching Southgate, setting up the opening goal netted by Jean-Philippe Mateta.

England summer fixtures will see them facing Hungary twice, Germany and Italy across ten days in the UEFA Nations League A group and Eze would have become cap-tied to his country of birth assuming he was invited and given minutes in any of the four matches.

Eze, who was invited to train with the Super Eagles in 2017, played non-binding games for England U20s before becoming provisionally cap-tied to his country of birth at U21 level.

Nigeria Football Federation boss Amaju Pinnick has held discussions with the former Queens Park Rangers dazzler over switching his international allegiance and turning out for the Nigeria national team but the player requested to be given time to make his decision, claiming he wants to focus on his club career.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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