The Tottenham man has not represented his country since their failed 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign.

He then incurred the wrath of Cameroon's Football Federation after he failed to report for a disciplinary hearing to explain his absence from an international match last year.

Having also criticised the footballing body on numerous occasions, the 28-year-old has since been persona non grata for the African giants.

However, the former Lens defender reckons he's prepared to settle his differences with the Lions in a bid to come their aid.

Cameroon are once again on the verge of not qualifying for the AFCON tournament, to be held in South Africa next year.

The four-time winners lost 2-0 to lowly Cape Verde Islands in Praia on Saturday in the first leg of the final round of qualifiers.

"The national team? I dream of returning. The problems are the same as twenty years ago," Assou-Ekotto told Radio Monte Carlo.

"There are the same people in charge of the team. Little changes and we are faced with the same problems. These are the things that I do not like.

"I preferred to stop for a while. But I have had talks with the coach."

The Lions' defeat at the weekend saw their countrymen threaten to ransack their footballing headquarters in Yaounde, but Assou-Ekotto reckons the loss shouldn't have come as such a shock.

"In Africa, it is not the same as in Europe. There are countries where it is very difficult to play," he explained.

The return leg is set for October 14.