Yakubu called for the African Nations Cup to be played in June after starring in his last home game before next month's tournament in Tunisia.

The Nigerian international's two goals against Manchester City doubled his Premiership tally but he may not be available for three league games after next week's trip to Bolton as his country are one of the favourites to reach the February 14 final

That would mean missing crucial matches at home to Wolves and Chelsea and away to Tottenham as well as the FA Cup fourth round tie against Barnsley or Scunthorpe.

Yakubu is not the only Premiership player set to fly to Tunisia next week. Bolton star Jay Jay Okocha will join him in the Nigeria squad after Saturday's clash at the Reebok Stadium, as will compatriot Kanu, while French-born Freddie Kanoute is set to play for Mali.

And Yakubu agrees that the growing number of Europe-based African players means that the competition should be played during the summer.

He said: "The African Nations Cup is a big competition. It's like the European Championships and I'd like it to be moved to June.

"It would be better if we can play then it because it is causing problems for us. I want to stay at Portsmouth but I need to go because it's a big competition and I want to play for my country. I'm proud of it."

Nigeria are in the same group as Benin, South Africa and Morocco and a shock first-round exit would see Yakubu missing just one Premiership game against Wolves.

That would suit Harry Redknapp, about to lose loan striker Jason Roberts, who is set to move from WBA to Wigan for £2m.

The Pom-pey manager even laughed: "I hope Nigeria get knocked out in the first round, I'd be a liar if I said otherwise! I hope he's back next week but Nigeria and Senegal will go all the way."

After being told of Yakubu's desire for the African Nations Cup to be played in June, Redknapp added: "I've just offered him £50,000 to stay which might have something to do with it! But he's right, it should be brought into line with the European Championships, it's a crazy situation.

"Amdy Faye and Yakubu are two players I couldn't not take, I understood the situation when I signed them but I would like to see the competition moved, that's for sure."

Yakubu's return to form will make his absence even more noticeable over the next month but he has promised to be even more of a threat when he returns.

He added: "I want to help Portsmouth. It is my team and if we continue like this we will stay in the Premiership but I hope to play better when I get back. I want to score more. It is my job as a striker.

"When you play a long time without scoring the confidence goes a little bit but it's getting better and better and I want to do more in every game I play.

"When I come back I want to do more than I did today which I believe I can do. I'm getting more used to the defenders."

Yakubu scored two excellent second-half goals to take his tally to two in three games against City.

Teddy Sheringham was too clever for Richard Dunne and handed 'The Yak' the chance to slot an equaliser from 25 yards on 51 minutes.

And, after Sheringham had given Pompey a 3-2 lead with a free header from a Patrik Berger free kick, Yakubu sealed the win with a composed second from the edge of the area.

Dejan Stefanovic had beaten the 20-year-old to another Berger delivery to head the opening goal before Nicolas Anelka volleyed an exquisite equaliser within two minutes of the restart.

City had already lost David Seaman with a suspected fractured cheekbone but struck the Pompey cross bar three times, twice through Robbie Fowler and once through Antoine Sibierski before the latter, who enjoyed an exceptional first half, gave the visitors a 45th-minute lead.

But Yakubu ensured that City returned to the north west without a win in 14 games and without a Premiership win since their 2-0 victory at St Mary's three months ago.

Keegan was furious with the decision to disallow a Joey Barton goal for offside immediately after Pompey's second.

He said: "There were a lot of contentious things that turned this match against us but it was a great game, a lot of plus points for both managers, but the minus for me was our defending, particularly in the second half.

"It was soul destroying, this result was hard to take because I felt we deserved something."

Redknapp said: "It was a case of slugging it out and the last team on their feet was the winner.

"Yakubu and Teddy were excellent but my problem now is finding two more strikers.

"I've asked Gerard Houllier about Michael Owen - but he won't have it!"