TSHIBOLA DOES NOT WANT LEFT OUT OF AFRICA

AARON TSHIBOLA is anxiously waiting for clearance from FIFA and the go-ahead to bid for a place at this summer’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The on-loan Kilmarnock midfielder, who represented England at Under-18 level, played a friendly for DR Congo against Tanzania a year ago.

Yet Tshibola was frustrated in efforts to make a competitive debut late last year and is still waiting for the English authorities and the game’s governing body to clear the way for him to be capped again later this month.

DR Congo face a critical qualifier for the Finals in Egypt at home to Liberia on March 22 and London-born Tshibola is desperate for his registration to be transferred so he can be involved.

He said: ‘I was devastated when I couldn’t go for the last game. It’s my family’s home. When I played in the friendly, it was amazing to go back to the motherland and see it.

‘I wanted to relive it so I was gutted when I couldn’t go last time. I need the all-clear because I want to help.

‘We are pushing to get everything passed through for the next game which will determine whether we qualify or not.’

The 24-year-old (above) spent the second half of last season and the entirety of this farmed out by Aston Villa to his former Reading boss Steve Clarke’s team.

With a year left on his Villa contract, Tshibola is refusing to give up hope of breaking through in the English Championship.

He will return to what assistant manager John Terry has told him will be a ‘clean slate’ for the start of a first full season in charge for next pre-season. But he wants to prioritise international ambitions this summer.

‘I would never turn down an opportunity to play for my country so I’ll need to see how that pans out,’ said Tshibola.