Mikel promises Nigerian fans he will be back for the Super Eagles against England on June 2

SUPER Eagles skipper Mikel Obi has promised Nigerian football fans that he will be back for the national team when it faces England in a high profile pre-World Cup friendly at Wembley on June 2.

Nigeria's talisman and captain, Mikel is the most recognisable and high profile member of the Super Eagles but missed the last two friendlies due to work permit issues. Changes in China's work permit rules ended up leaving Mikel stranded and unable to leave the country, forcing him to miss the two recent Super Eagles friendlies against Poland and Serbia.

Away to Poland, the team won 1-0 in Wroclaw and then succumbed to a 0-2 loss to Ser5bia in a game played at Barnet's St Hives Stadium in north London. Mikel, has sent a message of solidarity to the team after the loss and has promised that he will be available for all the next three friendlies against the Democratic Republic of Congo, England and the Czech Republic

Mikel said: "You don’t lose, you learn. Looking forward to being back on the pitch for our remaining preparation games.”

On May 28, the Eagles face Congo in Uyo, then face England in London on June 2, before travelling to Austria to face the Czech Republic on June 6. Promising to lead the team out in the matches, Mikel made his debut for the senior national team 13 ago after starring for the Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles.