SAM Allardyce has sent a "minder" to ensure Jay Jay Okocha gets the best of care while on international duty with Nigeria.

The Wanderers boss allowed his injured skipper to fly to South Africa, where he will have the privilege of meeting Nelson Mandela, but only on the understanding that he does not play in tonight's friendly in Johannesburg.

He still hopes his inspirational midfielder will be fit to play at Chelsea on Saturday, after missing the last two games with a thigh injury, so he has sent out physio, James Murphy, to ensure he gets the correct treatment and training while he is away.

Despite reports circulating in Johannesburg that Okocha would play in the Mandela Challenge, Super Eagles coach Christian Chukwu appeared to be complying with Allardyce's wishes when the Reebok ace trained on his own.

Nigeria have already been weakened by a spate of withdrawals from the friendly but were warned from the outset that Okocha would not be fit to play, although as national captain he wanted to meet the former South African president and statesman Mandela.

Allardyce gave his blessing but insisted a member of his backroom team went along to keep a watching brief.

"We've sent the physio just to monitor Jay Jay while he's away," the manager said. "We're hoping he can continue his rehabilitation with a view to being fit for Saturday but we will only be in a position to assess his fitness when he gets back late tomorrow."

Okocha has also been accompanied by team-mate Blessing Kaku, who is expected to play in the Johannesburg friendly while Ricardo Gardner, Stelios, Tal Ben Haim, El-Hadji Diouf and Jussi Jaaskelainen are also involved in international matches.