Nobby in Fresh Club vs Country Row
By Matthew Jones
July 31 2003
Nobby Solano will now miss the home game against Manchester United, with Lee Bowyer favourite to start. Solano is playing for his country (After he vowed to quit international football!) just two days after the opening game against Leeds, and four days before the Man Utds game.
Nolberto Solano has caused another club versus country row at St James' Park.
His future at Newcastle could be in doubt after the Peruvian FA have confirmed that Solano will appear in a friendly against Nigeria on 19 August.
Nothing wrong with a friendly though is there? Well, there is when it is two days after the Magpies' play Leeds away, and just four days before they play the crucial game at home against Manchester United!
Nobby now seems certain to be flying to South America before the opening game of the season at Elland Road. Sir Bobby Robson is now unlikely to risk the winger against Man Utd.
Lee Bowyer will probably start that game now. Robson is furious with Solano, who last season vowed to give up playing for his country because of the pressure it put on his club commitments.
"I had the chance to speak with Solano and he told me he wanted to play for the national team," said the president of the Peruvian FA, Francisco Lombardi.
"We don't need to talk to Bobby Robson because it's a Fifa date, and so Newcastle have let him come to play that match."
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