The striker said, "It's a dilemma. I could not ask for any more from my country to be captain as a 22-year-old. But the timing of the cup makes it difficult.

"I've been getting one or two chances in the team at Newcastle. The manager has given me the opportunities but now I have to leave for a while and that doesn't look good on a player.

"It's a worry and it's something I've been thinking about a lot. This is the club where I want to be and I don't want to be in the gaffer's bad books. But at the same time my country needs me.

"Sometimes in life you just have to take a gamble. Ask any player if they would like to captain their country and what would they say?

"These opportunities come around once in a life time and you never know what might happen in football, so it's something I'm looking forward to.

"It's a three week tournament but if we were to do well I could be away for five or six weeks. It could work out to be the best thing for me. A lot of the players will be based in Europe so I'll be taking some good experience."

He added: "I want to show the world what I can do. I want to be voted African Player of the Year. I have ambitions and I want to something for my country. The honour is unbelievable. My dream has always been to represent my country and this is a good chance for me."