Nigerian Striker Set To Play First Game In Eight Months For Chelsea

English-born Nigerian striker Ike Ugbo is poised to play his first game in eight months for Chelsea across all levels when the U23s take on Sunderland at Eppleton Colliery Football Ground on Sunday afternoon.

Ugbo, 19, is due to spend the remainder of this season on loan at MK Dons but was conspicuously missing from their match day squad in yesterday's League One clash against AFC Wimbledon.

MK Dons manager Robert Neilson explained that the striker had to return to his parent club because they got the loan deal over the line as soon as possible to stop other interested clubs from poaching him.

''We had an agreement with Chelsea - he was supposed to come after this game because he was due to play for the U21s tomorrow but they let us take him early,'' Neilson said.

"We were worried someone else would take him before we could get him. He'll be back with us in the week."

Ugbo's last competitive game for Chelsea youth teams was against Reading U18 on May 12, 2017.

Igho Kingsley