Anderlecht Coach Rules Onyekuru Out Of World Cup: He's Out For 6 Months

Anderlecht coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck does not think Henry Onyekuru would have sufficiently recovered before Nigeria play their first game at the 2018 World Cup against Croatia.

The Everton loanee damaged the medial ligament during Anderlecht's 1-0 win over his former club Eupen on December 22, and Vanhaezebrouck has suggested that the striker faces a minimum of six months on the sidelines, which effectively rules him out of next summer's football festival in Russia.

Hein Vanhaezebrouck was quoted as saying by Liverpool Echo: ''He is possibly out for six months.''

The 20-year-old had been in contention to be included on Nigeria's roster for the World Cup due to his success at club level over the past two seasons and his versatility in attack.

In 2010, Chelsea's John Obi Mikel was registered for the World Cup by the Nigerian Federation but was eventually replaced by Brown Ideye after the midfielder aggravated a knee injury while training with the national team.

Left-back Elderson Echiejile was ruled out of the 2014 World Cup with a muscle injury sustained in the Super Eagles last friendly against Greece and was replaced by Ejike Uzoenyi.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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