Nigel Reo-Coker in Sierra Leone call

Forgotten Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker has received an unexpected international call - from Sierra Leone.

The former England under-21 captain, who is one of six players believed to have been made available by boss Martin O'Neill, has had a public plea from the country of his birth to help them qualify for the 2014 World Cup.

Nahim Khadi, president of the Sierra Leone Football Association, said: "Nigel would bring exactly what we need for the national team - leadership and experience.

"If he was sat here now, I would beg him to play for us.

"I would go down on my knees and say to him - 'Reo, your country needs you'."