Nigeria launch attempt to ‘steal’ Ibe from England

Nigeria are keen on convincing Jordon Ibe to represent the Super Eagles instead of England.

The 19-year-old is eligible to play for Nigeria through his father and Eagles’ coach Sunday Oliseh was at Liverpool’s Melwood training ground on Wednesday to sound out the player over a switch of allegiances.

Ibe has been a star of Liverpool’s pre-season and looks certain to be given a Reds starting berth at the weekend ahead of £45million pair Adam Lallana and Lazar Markovic, as manager Brendan Rodgers offers him a chance to cement a first-team spot this season.

That will open the prospect of an England Under-21 call for the winger who has already represented the national side at U-18, U-19 and U-20 level.

And England boss Roy Hodgson could well be persuaded to accelerate his progress into the full England squad which will be bad news for Oliseh and Nigeria.

Liverpool visit Stoke on Sunday in the Barclays Premier League open day fixtures.