Hammers striker Carlton Cole called up by Nigeria for World Cup qualifier

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The 24-year-old was a member of England's Under-21 squad earlier in his career and doubts remain over whether he will accept this latest call by the west Africans.

He previously rejected call-ups to the Nigeria squad saying instead he wanted to play for his adopted homeland.

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Flying high: Cole could be set to soar with the Super Eagles

However, Cole, whose parents are of Nigerian and Sierra Leonean descent, has failed to make the England squad and may now consider playing for Super Eagles.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) say that the latest inclusion is part of plans to experiment with different options ahead of the final qualifying phase.

'By and large, the list underscores Nigeria's desire to try new options against the backdrop of the Super Eagles having already picked a ticket for the third and final phase of qualifying which begins in March 2009,' NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire told www.kickoffnigeria.com.

Should he accept the call-up, Cole will join fellow Premier League stars Joseph Yobo, Seyi Olofinjana, Mikel Jon Obi, John Utaka, Obafemi Martins, Ayegbeni Yakubu and Kanu.

The Super Eagles play World Cup hosts South Africa in Port Elizabeth on September 6 before facing Sierra Leone on October 11.

Nigeria squad: Ayenugba (Bnei Yehuda), Etafia (Moroka Swallows); Yobo (Everton), Shittu (Watford), Odiah (CSKA Moscow), Mohammed (Al Hilal), Ola (Cesena), Nwaneri (FC Sion), Taiwo (Marseille); Olofinjana (Stoke City), Uche (Almeria), Mikel (Chelsea), Haruna (Monaco), Ayila (Dynamo Kiev); Okoduwa (Dynamo Kiev), Utaka (Portsmouth), Cole (West Ham), Martins (Newcastle), Yakubu (Everton), Kanu (Portsmouth).