Nigeria’s hopes of landing Bukayo Saka for the Super Eagles has been dealt a huge blow after the Arsenal teenager was called up by Gareth Southgate for England’s games against Wales, Belgium and Denmark this month.

The Three Lions play Wales in a friendly on 8 October, before Nations League fixtures against Belgium and Denmark on 11 and 14 October respectively.

Should Saka feature in either of the latter two competitive fixtures, it would put him out of reach for the Super Eagles as he would no longer be eligible to represent for Nigeria.

Losing Saka to England would be a particularly bitter pill for Sports minister Sunday Dare who revealed last month that he has asked NFF president Amaju Pinnick to convince the England youth international to declare for Nigeria.

Nineteen year old Saka bust into limelight last season enjoying a breakthrough campaign with performances that belied his young years.

He revealed recently he has not given too much consideration to his international future when asked about choosing between England and Nigeria but that appears to have been settled now with his maiden call up for the country of his birth.