Nigeria coach Berti Vogts has dropped a big hint that Sunderland midfielder Dickson Etuhu will gatecrash his squad for January's African Nations Cup.

"I invited Etuhu along for the first time and I think he played well," said the German, who cast an approving eye over the midfielder's combative performance against Mexico two weeks ago.

"What I need are strong players who will fight and Etuhu showed me that. Etuhu made sure that we were better organised right across the midfield in that game - he was strong and he did not compromise.

"He worked hard in that position, he worked well and he was good for the team. I liked that."