Injury scare for Ikeme

NIGERIA’S first choice in goal, Carl Ikeme, has raised concern over his availability for the country’s home game against Algeria in a Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier following a hip injury that took him out of a game on Saturday.

Ikeme sustained the injury while playing for English Championship club, Wolverhampton Wanderers against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on Saturday.

The injury was so serious he failed to turn up for the game in the second half.

Ikeme just hopes the injury is not that serious and tweeted:“We deserved at least a point and lads all dug in. Hopefully injury nothing to serious.Congrats @_DaveEdwards great goal and performance,” he tweeted via @Carl_Ikeme.

Wolves’s manager, Rob Edwards also downplays the effect when he told the club’s website.www.wolves.co.uk.: “Carl was struggling around his hip area which I think came after he stretched to make a save.

“He was having it iced at half time and I don’t yet know the extent of the problem.

“Hopefully he won’t be out for too long because he is very important for us,”.

Ikeme is among 24 players  listed by Nigeria’s head coach, Gernot Rohr to tackle Algeria. Ikechukwu Ezenwa  and Dele Alampasu  are the other goal keepers.

Other invitees  are defenders: Leon Balogun; William Paul Ekong ; Kenneth Omeruo,  Uche Henry Agbo; Tyrone Ebuehi; Abdullahi Shehu, Musa Muhammed, Elderson Echiejile and  Kingsley Madu

The midfielders are Mikel John Obi , Ogenyi Onazi , Wilfred Ndidi ; Oghenekaro Etebo and  John Ogu.

Forwards Ahmed Musa , Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Victor Moses; Odion Ighalo, Brown Ideye  Alex Iwobi complete the list.