Everton of England midfielder, Alex Iwobi and FC Porto of Portugal left-back, Zaidu Sanusi are both in doubt for action in Friday’s World Cup qualifier against Liberia, megasportsarena.com reports.
Iwobi has been cast in doubt for the match at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, starting at 5pm, due to a knock he copped in training, while Sanusi’s late arrival in camp may work against him.
Of the duo, Sanusi appears almost certain not to play on Friday, as he only joined the Eagles’ camp on Thursday and he could get only a single training session with the team.
Eagles’ coach, Gernot Rohr has already started trying out AS Torino of Italy versatile full-back, Ola Aina to fit in down the left side of defence, even as speculation arose that Zaidu’s late arrival had been caused by talks over his future at Porto.
He had been widely expected to quit Porto this summer, in order to get regular game time in the new season but, while he had also been on the radar of West Ham United of England on transfer deadline day, a move did not materialize for him.
It is now bound to be a case of ‘double-blow’ for Sanusi, as his late arrival in the Eagles’ camp is bound to see him dropped from Friday’s game, but he still has a chance of playing himself into contention for the next fixture, which will be four days later away to Cape Verde.
That could also be the target for Iwobi, should he fail to hit peak shape in order to participate in Friday’s fixture, though, in contrast with worries expressed by Nigerian fans and the media, who are apprehensive of Iwobi’s chances, the former Arsenal of England playmaker insists he is good to go.
Although the nephew of former Eagles’ skipper, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha did not train with the team in their collective sessions on Thursday, Iwobi stressed that he will be available for selection.
Iwobi added that he is only nursing a minor knock, which he believes he will overcome before kick-off and affirmed: “I’m just managing a little injury, but I will be fine.”
