Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr is optimistic the team’s striker, Victor Osimhen will recover in time for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Benin and Lesotho next month.
The forward picked up an injury during the last minutes of Napoli’s 4-2 away defeat to Atlanta in the Serie A on Sunday.
Osimhen, 22, was stretched off the pitch and taken to the hospital he was knocked unconscious following a collision with Atlanta defender Cristian Romero.
Napoli allayed fears of a serious injury on Tuesday, announcing that the Nigerian international will rest for a few days before returning to training gradually.
Reacting to the development, Rohr who anticipates the striker to lead the line for next month’s decisive final two 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, is optimistic he will return to action soon.
“I spoke to Victor, he told me he’s physically and mentally okay now but must wait for the club doctors,” Rohr told bbc.com
“My thoughts are with him because he’s had some difficult start in Italy, but he’s a strong boy and he must wait for the doctors to clear him to play again.
“He’s an important player for us and we’ll see how it goes at his club first, because his well-being is very important for everyone.”