Bhutia may be unavailable for India's England tour

Top Indian striker Baichung Bhutia could miss the tour of England starting next week because his English club has not released him, an Indian soccer official said on Friday.

Bhutia, who plays for English second division Bury, was named captain of a 22-member national squad set to play four matches against English league sides from Tuesday.

But the club were reluctant to release him because Bury's pre-season games clashed with the Indian matches, All India Football Federation (AIFF) secretary, Alberto Colaco, told Reuters. He said: "There is some problem."

Indian soccer authorities have sent a further request to Bury officials and the English FA.

The Indian team have matches lined up against Brentford, Nottingham Forest, Walsall and Leyton Orient.

Bhutia's absence would be a blow for the national team which is looking for useful experience ahead of the first Afro-Asian games to be held in New Delhi in November.

Bhutia, 23, played a crucial role in India's encouraging show in the recent Asian World Cup qualifying games.

The Indian team, ranked 113 in the latest FIFA rankings, upset a superior United Arab Emirates before finishing third in their four-team group, level with Yemen and just a point behind UAE who qualified for the second round.