Birchall, Stern out match with Japan

Reason is the England-born player has only just started playing again for his Port Vale club after the World Cup Finals in Germany and wants to be excused from the match which is just four days into the new season.

Birchall is expected to discuss his request with team manager Bruce Aanensen and Rijsbergen soon.

“I only heard about this on Tuesday when the manager said he had received a fax from Trinidad and Tobago saying there was a friendly with Japan.

“It is an awkward one for me. I want to do everything to get my place in the Leyton Orient match (the first match of Vale’s League One campaign) and I don’t want any interruptions.

“It is a bit difficult to understand why the friendly is so close to the World Cup. I have told Martin Foyle that it may be a good choice if I don’t go.

“I will have to speak to the Trinidad manager, but Martin Foyle knows I don’t want any interruptions this year.

“I am sure that if Trinidad know I want to concentrate on my club football, and get a good start to the season, then they will understand. I don’t think they will pressure anyone,” said Birchall.

Foyle said he was keen for Birchall to stay, adding: “I have never stopped Chris from doing anything. I have been 100 percent behind him all through his career.

“He has had the World Cup and has done very well, but I think the boys need time to get into league football again.

“Chris knows he has to have a good season for Vale. He only played 20 matches for me last year and had some up and down performances, so he needs a good season. But I know he will come up trumps.”

Birchall made his first appearance for Vale since the World Cup when he played the opening 45 minutes of a 6-1 win at Tiverton Town on Wednesday night.

Also expected to be missing from the Japan match is Coventry City striker Stern John who added that his club boss Micky Adams has already responded negatively to the request for his release.