Robson failed in his attempt to keep hold of midfielder Diomansy Kamara who left the Midlands team on Tuesday to link up with Senegal.

As things stand Kanu is required to join his team-mates on Friday, but Robson is keeping his fingers crossed the striker can play in the weekend FA Cup tie with Reading and the league clash at Wigan on January 15 before leaving.

"We will be speaking to the Nigerian FA this week sometime and hopefully we will have Kanu for another two matches before he has to go," the West Brom boss said..

"Kanu's first game is on January 24 for Nigeria and he would still have a week to prepare with the team if he can remain with us until after the Wigan game.

"We are just asking the Nigerian FA to be helpful because we've got a massive game with Wigan. If we can delay Kanu's departure until then, it is not as if he is going to miss any matches.''

Several English Premiership clubs are having to do without their African players who have been called up for the finals which take place from January 20 until February 10.