"Don't Worry About Me" Says Boumsong

Last updated : 16 August 2005 By Footy Mad - Editor

French international Jean-Alain Boumsong faces the Ivory Coast in a friendly that means nothing to anyone, but it is a risk Souness can do little about. We all know the fuss the Jock made about Jermaine Jenas travelling with England to the States, and Sir Bobby had long, trying times when Nobby Solano and Clarence Acuna made constant trips to South America.

Many international players are looking to the World Cup in the summer and Boumsong knows he can't afford to drop out to concentrate on club football. "I don't accept it's a risk for Newcastle if I play this week," said the Toon defender. "Other players will be involved in Champions League and Uefa Cup games this season, which I normally would be, so it's not as if I will be playing too many games.

"We do not have many fit defenders at Newcastle but it is important that I play for my country in a World Cup season. United do not need to worry."