Nobby Solano has pleaded with Peruvian officials to delay a key World Cup qualifier by 24 hours . . . to allow him to play in a potentially crucial Premiership game for Newcastle.
Peru are due to face Colombia in Lima on March 30 - and are entitled to ask Solano to arrive at their training camp up to five days before the game.
But the winger, desperate not to become embroiled in another club v country row, does not want to miss United's trip to Bolton on March 27.
So he is asking to be allowed to stay in the UK to face the Trotters - and for the Colombia match to be put back a day, which would allow him extra time to recover from a trans-Atlantic flight.
"Newcastle have a game on March 27 and what I don't want is to arrive in Lima only three days before the international against Colombia," said Solano.
The bad news for Sir Bobby Robson? Solano will not be in shape to be involved in the Magpies' Premiership home game against Everton on April 3, regardless of whether the Colombia match is rescheduled.
