Maja in with a Super chance with Nigeria

SUNDERLAND youngster Josh Maja is on the verge of playing international football with Nigeria after training with the Super Eagles.

The attacking midfielder made his debut at Queens Park Rangers in the League Cup and is one of a clutch of young players who can look forward to more time on the field if, as seems increasingly likely, the Black Cats are relegated this season.

Maja – full name Joshua Erowoli Orisunmihare Oluwaseun Maja – was born in Lewisham 18 years ago but revealed in February he was eligible to play for Nigeria.

He said: “I am originally from London but my family is from Nigeria.

“I grew up with my three brothers and my mom and sister.”

Maja (pictured) was one of three English-based players to train with Nigeria, along with Chelsea’s England Under-20s’ defender Ola Aina and QPR’s Scottish-born Ebere Eze.

They were due to take part in a training match in Barnet which was cancelled when Burkina Faso were unable to raise a team.

The Nigeria Football Federation says it hopes the players will be eligible for the next African Cup of Nations and Nigeria’s 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

Maja joined Sunderland’s academy in 2015, having had spells with Fulham, Crystal Palace and Manchester City.

He impressed in pre-season, when he was taken under the wing of Jermain Defoe.

Maja has not featured since his outing at Loftus Road but has been an unused substitute four times.

It would make life easier for Sunderland was Maja to opt for England. They lost Lamine Kone, Didier Ndong and Wahbi Khazri to the African Cup of Nations in January and February.

Lagos-born Victor Anichebe is also a Nigerian international who has shown interest in resurrecting his international career but was not considered for Gabon, a tournament he would have missed anyway through injury.

Players are tied to a country once they make a competitive appearance for the senior side.