Sunday 28 August 2016 09:24, UK
Sam Allardyce has revealed he looked into including Steven N'Zonzi in his first England squad - only to be told the Sevilla midfielder was not eligible.
Allardyce, who will name his squad on Sunday for next week's opening World Cup qualifier against Slovakia, signed N'Zonzi at Blackburn in 2009.
The 27-year-old was a resident in England for six years before moving to Spain from Stoke last summer, but after his father approached the Football Association to declare his son's interest in playing for England, subsequent investigations found the 27-year-old was ineligible because of his one cap for France U21s.
"We did have a call, but it was impossible," said Allardyce, who on Sunday will name his squad to face Slovakia in the opening World Cup qualifier on September 4.
"It would have been of interest to me and we did explore it. He's very good and he never got the credit he deserved.
"The lad won player of the year at Blackburn in his first year after coming from the French Second Division.
"We finished 10th in the Premier League that year and I'm not surprised he's got to a club like Sevilla in the end, a club at that level and of that size."
