Nigerian international defender Efe Sodje, booted out of Colchester United this week, is facing up to life in soccer's wilderness.

Sodje, 27, quickly became a cult figure with the Layer Road crowd because of the colour-coded head scarves he wore to match the U's strip.

But now he has admitted he faces an uncertain future after Colchester boss Steve Whitton decided to show him the door.

After being released after the U's 4-3 defeat by Bristol City, the former Macclesfield and Luton defender is out on a limb.

He said: "At the moment the future is uncertain. I have a contract with Colchester until the end of the month and after that who knows? It's a bit worrying when you don't know what is going to happen, but that's life as a professional footballer.

"Steve Whitton gave me a chance at Colchester United and unfortunately he couldn't find a place for me in the set-up.

"I really loved the club and I was made to feel at home straight away. The players and especially the fans made me very welcome but in the end it didn't quite work out."

Sodje, who made just three appearances in a U's shirt, also became their most-capped international player after his exploits with Nigeria.

He linked up with Arsenal striker Nwankwo Kanu and Chelsea's Celestine Babayaro to play for his country in the World Cup qualifying series against Eritrea last month.

But his two call-ups appear to have done him few favours at Layer Road as he was forced to miss vital games against Blackpool and Cambridge.

Sodje added: "The club knew the situation before I came to play for Colchester and I didn't think it was going to be a problem. I had all this at Luton but I explained to their manager Lennie Lawrence I didn't expect to be called into every squad.

"Of course it's frustrating for a manager to lose his players because of international call-ups but I honestly don't think I will play every match for Nigeria. Look at the England set-up. Only Alan Shearer is guaranteed to play in every game for his country.

"The rest of the players are just hoping for a call into the squad but sometimes they have to miss out."

The U's will definitely renew derby rivalry with Cambridge United next season after Cardiff City's relegation was confirmed last night.

The Welsh club remain four points adrift of the safety zone with just one game to play after being thumped 4-1 by promotion-chasing Gillingham, who now go second in the table.

Former U's skipper Warren Aspinall has been handed a free transfer by Third Division Brighton.

Bandana man: Nigerian international defender Efe Sodje

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