Leon Balogun Suffers Suspected Fractured Cheek Bone, Doubtful To Face Algeria

Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr is sweating on the fitness of Mainz central defender Leon Balogun less than ten days before he is expected to announce his final roster for 2017.

Balogun may not figure in the World Cup qualifier against the Algerians after suffering a serious injury in the 79th minute of Mainz's 2-0 loss to Schalke 04 at Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen on Friday night.

Providing an update on the injury suffered by Balogun, Mainz tweeted immediately after the game : '' Last year, @LeonBalogun wore a face mask vs. @s04_en. Today, he had to come off with a suspected cheek bone fracture. Get well soon, Leon!''

In October 2016, a hamstring complaint prevented Balogun from traveling to Africa for the World Cup qualifier versus Zambia, and he also withdrew from the squad that faced South Africa in June because of a thigh injury.

Prior to today's match with Schalke, he had been on the bench in the last three matches in the Bundesliga, against Hertha Berlin, Wolfsburg and Hamburg.

Nigeria have conceded just once in their last three World Cup qualifiers with Balogun and William Troost-Ekong partnering in central defense.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel