Tranmere Rovers striker Edrissa Sonko will miss Gambia's World Cup qualifier against Liberia on Saturday after his English League One club refused to release him simple because they  didn't receive the request for his release soon enough.

"My club said they received the request late and so cannot release me," Edi told Gambia Sport Online.

"I think such requests need to be received by the clubs at least two weeks in advance but the letter for my release came I think only about a week ago; so the club isn't letting me go because we have a big cup game on Tuesday and a crucial league fixture on Saturday.

I am disappointed [with] the decision but I also understand the reason behind it and hope that in future all parties will act on time.

I really was looking forward to playing against Liberia in Banjul. When the coach was here last week we even spoke about the game and how important it is to get a big result in Banjul on Saturday," he said.

"I was hoping to help the team get that result but that's obviously not going to happen. But I know the boys can do it," Edi told gambiasports.gm, "and I wish them the best of luck."