Basel's Nakata not keen on Japan return

TOKYO, Apr 11 (Reuters) Basel midfielder Koji Nakata has ruled out an early return to Japan's Kashima Antlers, a Japanese newspaper reported today.

Nakata joined Basel in early 2006 after an unhappy spell at Olympique Marseille and still has a year to run on his contract in Switzerland.

However, his former club Kashima have been struggling and hope to re-sign Nakata and Mitsuo Ogasawara from Italy's Messina, according to the Yomiuri-affiliated Sports Hochi.

''It's nice to know they want me,'' Nakata was quoted as saying.

''I know things are not good at Kashima but there's not much I can say about it now.'' Basel are second behind FC Zurich in the Swiss first division with hopes of playing in next season's Champions League.

''That would be fantastic,'' said Nakata. ''I still have a year left on my contract so I don't think I need to think about moving anywhere else.'' REUTERS TB KN1717