Nigeria have received encouraging injury news ahead of their upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
Coventry City midfielder Frank Onyeka is back in contention for a place in the Super Eagles squad after returning to action during the Sky Blues' 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night at Coventry Building Society Arena.
Onyeka had previously been rated doubtful for the back-to-back Afcon qualifiers and the international friendly against Russia after sustaining a hand injury in the second half of Coventry's defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend.
However, the injury that forced him off is not as serious as initially feared, with manager Frank Lampard naming the former FC Ebedei midfielder in the matchday squad for Aston Villa's visit.
Any concerns over Onyeka's fitness were eased when he came on in the 73rd minute, replacing Caleb Yirenkyi.
His return to action will come as welcome news to Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle, who is sweating over the fitness of two other midfielders, Lazio's Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Marseille's Tochukwu Nnadi.
The Super Eagles will begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign this month with back-to-back Group L fixtures against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau on September 25 and September 29 respectively.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
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