Turnaround nets Nigeria call for Brown Ideye

Six weeks ago he was in danger of becoming a £10 million West Brom flop who was set to be sold.

But today Brown Ideye was celebrating an international recall after igniting an upturn in his Baggies form.

The 26-year-old's Nigeria exile was ended yesterday when he was included in their squad for friendlies against Bolivia and South Africa later this month.

Ideye lost his regular place in the Super Eagles group after figuring in both the African Cup of Nations and the Confederations Cup in 2013.

His nightmare start to life in England pushed him further down the pecking order but his recent upturn in fortunes, which has included five goals in his last eight games, has led to a recall.

Fans' favourite Ideye tweeted: "So happy to be back with the National team #supereagles #keepbelieving".

Ideye underlined his improved form at the weekend by heading the winning goal in a 1-0 Hawthorns win against Stoke that left Albion within touching distance of Premier League safety.

He later limped off after taking another blow on his knee, with midfielder James Morrison revealing the striker was already playing through the pain barrier along with strike partner Saido Berahino.

"He didn't train all week," said Morrison. "The two strikers only trained on Friday because of injuries so to put in that kind of performance is credit to them.

"Brown produced a great header, especially having not put those chances away at Villa. It was a great way to react so credit to Brown."

Ideye looked set to leave The Hawthorns on transfer deadline day on February 2 when a deal was set up to take him to Qatari club Al-Gharafa.

But that transfer was cancelled and he won a recall to the starting line-up. He scored in the 2-2 draw at Burnley.

And he then netted in successive games, including a brace in the 4-0 FA Cup win at home to West Ham.

He was guilty of a glaring miss in the 2-0 quarter-final defeat at Villa.

But he bounced back with the winner against the Potters on Saturday as he confirmed his return to form.