NEWCASTLE'S controversial Colombian striker, Faustino Asprilla, has won back his international place just hours after being dropped from the team to face Bolivia today.

The £7.5million star claimed personal problems had delayed his arrival at the squad's headquarters in Medellin on Tuesday by nine hours and team coach Ivan Dario Gomez immediately banished him from the side.

Gomez stormed "Asprilla's attitude is very bad and shows a lack of discipline. I cannot allow him to behave like this. He cannot play tricks with us. We are the national team. This is a serious matter, so he will not play tomorrow."

However, a few hours later Gomez underwent a dramatic change of heart following a profuse apology from Asprilla and chose him for a match in the city where the striker grew up.

"His explanation calmed me down and he will play tomorrow," said the Colombian manager.

Asprilla's colourful style on and off the field has raised more than a few eyebrows in England since his arrival from Italian club Parma. He had stood trial in Colombia for a firearms offence, after showing off at a party, and he was also alleged to have had a fling with soft porn star Petra Sharbach in Italy. Asprilla made his Newcastle debut against Middlesbrough on February 10th, coming on as substitute and steering them to victory. But although his sublime skills have won him many fans, the dark side of his nature reared up against Manchester City two weeks later.

He tangled with City skipper Keith Curle, appearing to elbow him in the face in one incident during the game and then seeming to head butt him at the end of the match. As a result, Asprilla will shortly come before the Football Association on a disrepute charge.