Bolton’s hopes of  surviving in the Premiership this season suffered a major blow when Nigerian star Jay-Jay Okocha insisted he will play in the African Nations Cup next year.

“It’s a tournament I can’t say ‘no’ to,” said Okocha who is both club skipper and national team captain.

“I understand that Bolton feel they need me here but Nigeria need me out there as well.”

The 30-year-old Okocha could miss five Premiership matches while he is at the tournament in Tunisia which runs from January 24 to February 14.  “It would be better if the African Nations Cup was played in June but there is nothing I can do about that,” Okocha told the Bolton Evening News.

“It seems they play it in January because that’s the only time they can get sponsorship, so I understand that as well.  “I can’t miss it but I believe strongly in the squad here and they can do without me.”

The five Premiership games Okocha could miss are away to Blackburn, Charlton and Leicester and at home to Portsmouth and Liverpool.