MUSTAPHA Carayol will not be representing Gambia in two World Cup qualifiers this month despite the African nation attempting to name the Middlesbrough midfielder in their squad.

Carayol, who was born in the Gambian capital, Banjul, is eligible to represent both Gambia and England, and has so far refused to commit himself to either nation.

The Gambian FA had been keen to call up the winger for Saturday's World Cup qualifier with Ivory Coast and the following weekend's game in Morocco.

A number of African newspapers reported the development and included Carayol's name in a list of 16 players due to link up this week ahead of the double-header.

However, The Northern Echo understands that due to irregularities in the notification process, Carayol will not be travelling to Africa for the matches.

There is a set notification period in which a player and his club must be informed that their services are required for international duty, and on this occasion, it was not adhered to.

Therefore, Carayol will not be heading to Gambia and there is no threat of any FIFA sanctions if Middlesbrough do not help facilitate his supposed call-up.

It remains to be seen whether the former Bristol Rovers midfielder opts to represent Gambia in the future. The Scorpions are bottom of Group C of the African qualifying section, having failed to win any of their opening three matches in the current round of qualifiers.