Efe Sodje has returned on time to Colchester United after making his international debut for Nigeria.

The U's defender, who played a full game in Sunday's 0-0 draw against soccer minnows Eritrea, touched down on Tuesday.

It came as a big relief to U's boss Steve Whitton after the former Luton player's previous exploits while away on international duty.

Sodje was placed on the transfer list and fined two weeks' wages by the Hatters in February after returning from the African Nations' Cup eight days late.

It led to a bitter dispute with Luton boss Lennie Lawrence and he was booted out of the club last month.

But he arrived safely back in England this time - and immediately phoned the U's boss to let him know of his arrival.

Sodje, who was given a lift back from the airport with Arsenal striker and fellow international Nwankwo Kanu, revealed: "I got on the phone to the manager straight away.

"He seemed quite pleased to hear from me, but there was never any question of me not arriving back in time.

"There were good reasons for me not getting back to Luton after the African Nations' Cup, but it's all in the past."

U's boss Whitton said he never doubted the ex-Stevenage Borough player would return for the game at Wycombe on Saturday.

He said: "I was pleased to get a phone call from Efe to let me know he's back, but I never thought for a moment he wouldn't be.

"I won't stand in the way of anyone wanting to play for their country.

"He has shown a first-class attitude since he has been at the club and I am looking forward to seeing him when the first team return to training tomorrow."

The 27-year-old defender missed Saturday's game against Blackpool but revealed he would have swapped his international debut for a long-term contract at Layer Road.

Sodje, signed until the end of the season, said: "I told the Colchester manager I would rather stay and fight for a contract than play for my country.

"But he told me Nigeria would have been able to ask FIFA to suspend me for the Blackpool match if I didn't join up with them.

"It happened to my friend Sunday Okacha and he had to miss Paris St Germain's semi-final because of the FIFA ruling." It left me with little choice but to join up with them."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.