Player profile

The 29-year-old was named in Nigeria’s 23-man squad despite failing to make a single appearance for Bolton in the 2009/10 campaign. Shittu, who has a year left on his contract at Bolton, could be on his way out of the club this summer but turned down the chance to join Turkish side Kayserispor in May.

The centre-back made his international debut shortly before the 2002 World Cup but failed to make the squad for the Far East. He was selected for the 2008 and 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, playing in five games at this year’s tournament in Angola.

Shittu started his career with Charlton before moving to QPR in 2002 for £350,000. He joined Watford in 2006, but was unable to keep the Hornets in the top flight and was sold in 2008 to balance the books. He made 11 appearances in his first season with Bolton.

As a 17-year-old he wrote letters to all 92 Football League clubs asking for a trial but was only offered one after he telephoned Charlton demanding a chance. Had he not made it as a footballer he was set to study computer science at university: “I love computers. I love opening them up and fixing them. I taught myself how to use them when I was still at college,” he says.