James Harper has turned down a last-chance opportunity to gate-crash Ghana?s World Cup party in Germany this summer.

Reading?s midfield ace is eligible to play for the African country as his mother was born there. He snubbed the opportunity to play for the Black Stars a couple of seasons ago when they first made an approach.

But Ghanaian officials made a recent attempt to persuade Harper into making a U-turn and linking up with Chelsea?s Micheal Essien in midfield for the West African country?s first-ever World Cup Finals appearance.

Their opponents in Group E are Italy, Czech Republic and the United States, who are set to include Harper?s Royals team-mates Bobby Convey and Marcus Hahnemann.

However, 25-year-old Harper, speaking from the team?s training base in Marbella, told the Evening Post: ?Ghana came back to me the other week and I had a little think about it. All the lads said I had to do it because it would mean playing in the World Cup, but I can?t. I?m English.

?My mum is from Ghana, but she moved over here when she was three.

?I?ve never even been to Ghana. I can?t speak any of the 32 languages they?ve got. I don?t know the colour of their flag and it?s not my country. I wouldn?t feel right putting on the shirt.

?I know a lot of players do it and play for other countries, but I don?t agree with that. I think you should play for the country where you are from. If I was born there and then came over to England, then fair enough. But I didn?t and I am English.?