Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi wants to hold talks with Victor Anichebe about his availability for the national team.
The Everton striker recently put his international career on hold so he could “manage his body accordingly”.
Keshi is hoping to persuade the 25-year-old to change his mind.
“Anichebe is a great striker. He is young, strong and gives us several options in attack. I plan to visit him in England and talk to him face to face,” Keshi told BBC Sport.
“We’ve tried in the past on the telephone but now is the time to speak to him in a proper meeting atmosphere.
“He’s a smart boy, intelligent enough to know what is good for his body and we have to respect his fitness programme with his club.
“We have to put this into consideration when we talk to him. Hopefully, he can change his mind and make himself available to the Super Eagles.
“I need the support of the Nigeria Football Federation to make this happen as soon as possible because we cannot afford to lose a player like Victor Anichebe.”
A former England youth international, Anichebe switched allegiance and played his first game for Nigeria in March 2008.
He scored on his debut in a 2-0 win over South Africa to help the Super Eagles reach the 2008 Olympics and he was part of the squad that went on to win silver in Beijing.
But Anichebe has been plagued by injuries over the past few years, including a groin problem on his last appearance for Nigeria in a 2-0 win over Madagascar in 2011.