According to reports, the Nigerian national team are still hoping that Everton youngster Ademola Lookman will pledge his international future to them.

Lookman has represented England at youth level and has even won the under 20 World Cup with the Young Lions. He starred in the nations triumph, scoring three goals.

Lookman is still eligible to represent Nigeria as it is the birthplace of his parents and also because he has yet to represent the England senior team.

Nigerian officials are now hopeful that they can convince the player to switch allegiance and may use next year’s World Cup as a potential lure. The African nation can secure qualification for the World Cup if they defeat Zambia on Saturday in Uyo.

The England under 21 boss, Aidy Boothroyd has admitted that he fears losing many of his stars to the Nigeria national team. In addition to Lookman, the likes of Tammy Abraham, Dominic Solanke and Sheyi Ojo all qualify to play for Nigeria.

Boothroyd said, “Nigeria are trying to get as many players as they can and you can’t blame them because we’ve got some good players.

“There was talk about Tammy, while SheyiOjo is another and they might still be trying, you just don’t know.”