Super Eagles Receive Massive Boost Ahead Of Trip To RSA As Etebo 'Close' To Full Fitness

Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr has received a massive injury boost ahead of the national team's trip to Johannesburg for an Africa Cup of Nations against South Africa with news that Oghenekaro Etebo is close to full fitness.

For close to one month, the central midfielder has not figured for Stoke City after suffering a hamstring injury while on international duty with the Super Eagles against the Mediterranean Knights.

The utility man is in line to play from the very beginning against Bafana Bafana as Leicester City star Wilfred Ndidi is unavailable for selection due to a one-match ban. 

Providing an update on the injury situation of Etebo, Stoke City manager Gary Rowett told the club's official website on Thursday : ''We have had a couple of knocks and niggles this week, but I will be keeping my cards close to my chest until kick-off.

“There are some who are close like Sam Clucas and Peter Etebo, but what we have to do is make sure we don’t bring them back too early and put them at any risk.

''There are decisions I am going to have to make and there are situations that we I will have to monitor over the next 24, 48 hours.''

It would be Etebo's 12th game in the Championship if he is selected in the team to face Middlesbrough on Saturday evening.

Igho Kingsley