Bolton forward on first international call up, past selection refusals and League One aim
18.03.2022 - 08:29
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Bolton Wanderers forward Amadou Bakayoko has been rewarded with his recent form in front of goal with a call-up for Sierra Leone and has explained why he feels now is the right time to head on to the international stage.
The Wanderers attacker has plundered 10 goals so far this season and is the club's second top scorer behind Dapo Afolayan.
He scored five goals in February which prompted him being nominated for the League One player of the month and winning the PFA fans' player of the month award.
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After the weekend's clash against Crewe Alexandra, Bakayoko will link up with the Sierra Leone squad in Turkey for three friendlies against Toho, Liberia and Congo.
Bakayoko was born in Sierra Leone but most of his family is from nearby Guinea and he has had to have discussions with them in the past before making a decision.
The former Walsall and Coventry City man has previously turned down call-ups in the past when he was younger as he did not feel the time was right due to not playing regularly at club level.
But he is now looking to bring back what he picks up on international duty back to Wanderers and help his club career.
He said: “It has been a long time coming but I am grateful.
“I am a little bit surprised it happened now but the main thing is that the work I have been doing on the pitch has been recognised. It is a good message and it is great to be called up.
“I am heading over to Turkey for a couple of games. It will be good to get a feel of international football and see what that is about.
“Hopefully it can improve me in different ways.
“I was born in Sierra Leone and my family is mainly Guinean,