Through a statement on their official website, Bundesliga club Mainz 05 have reconfirmed that Leon Balogun suffered a muscle strain injury in the first half of their 3-2 loss to Bayer Leverkusen this past weekend.

But the good news is that the central defender will resume training early October, and may report for international duty if the Nigerian FA and Mainz can reach an agreement.

Balogun will sit out the upcoming games against Gabala (September 29) plus this weekend’s Bundesliga game against VfL Wolfsburg.

The 28-year-old announced himself via social media that the injury is not as bad as first feared and he will return to action soon.

FC Ifeanyi Ubah goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa, who had been feared injured, had a recovery session with the Nnewi- based club on Monday morning, while Gent winger Moses Simon is on the road to recovery.

Igho Kingsley