West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie denies he has retired from international duty

West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie (GETTY IMAGES)

West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie insists he has not retired from international football with Nigeria.

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi claimed at the weekend that Odemwingie no longer wants to play for his country.

Odemwingie is adamant that is not the case which means he could be ruled out of Albion action for a month during January's African Nations Cup.

However, the 31-year-old concedes he is "unhappy" about certain aspects of the Nigerian set-up.

Odemwingie told the Wolverhampton Express and Star: "If the coach decides to call me, I am still available to play for my country.

"When I decide that I want to stop playing, I will come out and say so myself.

"I did not say I won't play for the national team.

"I am 31 now, it will be hard to play every game, but I had an open and honest discussion with the coach and I will be available when they call me."

But Odemwingie added: "I spoke with Keshi and I told him about my unhappiness with certain things in the national team.

"This included the fact that, as a player who has served his country with full commitment for over 10 years, I got into trouble for asking to be excused from a friendly game when I had an injury."

Albion already look set to lose midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu in January after DR Congo qualified for the ANC finals.

PA