Schalke 04 have told their troublesome Nigerian international striker Victor Agali he will be sitting in the stands or on the substitutes' bench when his African Cup of Nations saga comes to an end.
Nigerian coach Christain Chukwu banished 25-year-old Agali along with compatriots Celestine Babayaro and Yakubu Aiyegbeni after the trio broke curfew rules and were accused of indiscipline.
The three African stars were then recalled by Chukwu for Sunday's quarter-final tie with Cameroon leaving Schalke's patience at breaking point.
"He knows that he will be on the bench or in the stands more often than not," Schalke's general manager Andreas Muller told German magazine Kicker.
"We have made it crystal clear that it will be difficult for him."
Agali, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has been linked with French side Nice and will hope to use the remainder of the 2004 African Cup of Nations in Tunisia to showcase his talents.
Schalke chose not to attack Nigeria over their decision to recall the striker after initially sending Agali packing to Germany for indiscipline.
"That is nothing to do with us. It is a matter for the Nigerian Football Association," declared Muller.
Agali is no stranger to controversy, quitting international football after his omission from the 2002 World Cup squad before making a dramatic U-turn.