Eric Chelle has received a timely fitness boost ahead of Nigeria’s upcoming international fixtures after defenders Felix Agu and Chibuike Nwaiwu both returned from injury setbacks with their respective clubs.
Agu is set to resume training with Werder Bremen after spending the last two weeks on the sidelines, offering encouragement to the Super Eagles coaching staff.
The 26-year-old has endured a difficult campaign plagued by injuries. An ankle problem sustained in October kept him out until early February and forced him to miss 13 matches for the Bundesliga side, as well as the Africa Cup of Nations, which would have marked his debut appearance for Nigeria.
After returning to action, Agu suffered another setback when he picked up an adductor injury during the warm-up ahead of Bremen’s match against FC St. Pauli on February 22.
However, following Bremen’s 4-1 victory over Union Berlin on Sunday, head coach Daniel Thioune confirmed that the Nigerian defender is close to returning to training.
“If everything goes optimally over the next couple of days, Felix and Samuel will return to partially integrated training on Thursday. It’s still a few days too early for Couli, and we have to wait and see with Jovan,” Thioune said as quoted by Worum.org.
The plan means Agu will take part in light sessions as he continues his recovery, although he is expected to miss Bremen’s Bundesliga fixture against Mainz this weekend. The defender could, however, return to the selection pool for the club’s trip to VfL Wolfsburg.
Agu’s return represents a positive development for Chelle, who handed the defender his first national team call-up, although recurring fitness problems have limited his involvement with the Super Eagles.
Meanwhile, in Turkey, Trabzonspor defender Nwaiwu has also boosted his chances of national team recognition after recovering from injury and participating in his club’s league fixture against Kayserispor.
The 24-year-old centre-back was included among the substitutes for the Turkish Süper Lig clash alongside fellow Nigerian Anthony Nwakaeme, while striker Paul Onuachu led the attack from the start and scored brace in the 3-1 win.
Nwaiwu had been a doubt for selection after suffering bleeding in the inner thigh muscles of his left leg during Trabzonspor’s league victory over Fatih Karagümrük.
The injury ruled him out of the club’s Turkish Cup meeting with İstanbul Başakşehir on March 3 and initially raised fears that it could delay his push for a maiden international call-up.
Nwaiwu’s swift return means he missed only one match during his recovery, strengthening his chances of attracting Chelle’s attention as Nigeria prepare for upcoming international engagements, including a proposed friendly against Jordan national football team later this month.
The defender joined Trabzonspor from Wolfsberger AC during the winter transfer window and had already enjoyed an impressive start to life in Turkey before his injury setback.
He also marked his early form by scoring his first career brace in European club football during Trabzonspor’s 3-1 victory over Fatih Karagümrük.
With both Agu and Nwaiwu edging back to full fitness, Chelle could have additional defensive options available as he considers his squad for Nigeria’s forthcoming matches.
The PUNCH