Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has said that he is in touch with Leverkusen’s Sidney Sam, a player who has been on the radar of the national team for a possible international switch.

Keshi had said the 24 year-old midfielder was not responding to his calls last month but now claims that he is in ‘communication’ with the former Germany Under-19 player.

“Sidney is fine and he is just getting back from injury. We communicated via SMS and he told me that he is just coming back from injury,” Keshi said on Thursday in Abuja where the national team is preparing for its impending friendly match with Peru.

“He confirmed to me that he had a very long injury lay-off which he is now gradually recovering from. He told me that when he is ready he will call me.”

Keshi returned to the country this week to prepare his team for their very important 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and 2014 World Cup qualification matches in June.

He has stated that camp opens for the invited players on Sunday May 6.

The trainer also has to contend with the players to invite for the important matches ahead of the national team, the choice between foreign and home-based players.

“I have not really sat down to pick my players for the three qualifying matches but I will soon make that public after full deliberations with my technical crew and the likely players that I have in mind but which I don’t want to disclose for now.

“Our major concern is to invite any player that is playing regularly and performing well and consistently for his club be it here in Nigeria or overseas. We want players that would add value to the team not just any player.”

Nigeria will play a friendly international against Peru in Lima on May 23. In June, the Super Eagles will host Namibia in a World Cup qualifier, travel to Blantyre to face Malawi and then host Rwanda on in an Afcon qualifier.