'Magic' on international football - exclusive

Last updated : 02 November 2006 By Andy Parsons

The Algerian international defender has become a firm fans favourite at Hillsborough but is a regular in his country's national squad and will have to jet off again as his national team take on Burkina Faso in two weeks.

Bougherra told Footymad: "I really enjoy my time with the Algerian national side because when I am back over there, I see my friends and my family.

"But I do learn a lot with the team because technically they are a very good team and that will leave me in a good position when I do return to Sheffield."

Times are good for Algeria at the moment and are favourites to qualify for 2008's African Nation's Cup in Ghana and Bougherra is excited about the future.

He added: "Algeria are becoming a good side now. Five years ago there was many problems for the national side, they had a lot of managers in about two years so we didn't have any consistency but now we have a new coach, a French coach (Jean-Michel Cavalli) and we have become a very good team now.

"We are top of our African Nations Cup qualifying group and I think that in the next two years, we will do very well."

In other news, ex-manager Paul Sturrock has been linked with the vacant post at Swindon Town where he could be reunited with Lee Peacock.