Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr says he has received assurances that former Super Eagles captain Vincent Enyeama is primed to return to the squad.
The goalkeeper, who holds Nigeria's appearance record after amassing 101 caps, retired from the team in 2015 after a much publicized bust-up with former coach Sunday Oliseh, and has refused entreaties to return since.
However, Rohr said at Nigeria's team press conference ahead of this Friday's 2018 World Cup qualifier against Cameroon that the 35-year-old goalkeeper is only one injury away from a comeback
"I spoke with him. He is ready to come back," Rohr said, "but he must get fit before. He knows that first of all that is the problem he has.
"The past is the past. Now is the future."
Rohr also pointed to Enyeama's current club situation in France - where he has been deemed surplus to requirements by Marcelo Bielsa -- as reason for his absence.
"If he is ready, if he is playing [he returns]," Rohr continued, "but another problem is to find a new club, because Lille now bought two other goalkeepers and it will not be possible for him to play again [there] so we have to look at the next transfer window for winter time.
"First now [his aim] is to play with the second team of Lille. I will see him play and if he plays well, there are not any conditions to come back," Rohr concluded, "but I think he is ready to fight for his country."
The German coach also confirmed that Ikechukwu Ezenwa will start for the Super Eagles in their World Cup qualifying double header against Cameroon, with Dan Akpeyi injured and Carl Ikeme out of action following his leukaemia diagnosis.