Road To 2019 AFCON : Key Super Eagles Center Back Returns To The Treatment Room

Published: April 22, 2019

Super Eagles first-choice central defender William Troost-Ekong has emerged as a major doubt for Udinese when they take on Atalanta next Monday.

The former Netherlands youth-teamer had to be substituted with 14 minutes remaining as the Bianconeri were held to a 1-1 draw by Sassuolo this past weekend and it is feared he has suffered a muscular problem.

Of the 33 matches contested by Udinese in the Italian top flight, Troost-Ekong has been named in the starting lineup on 32 occasions, missing the game against AC Milan due to an adductor injury.

Speaking after Saturday's game, Udinese coach, Igor Tudor told Udinews TV : ''We need to focus on ourselves, on our work: Fofana and Ekong are two important players, now we have five games to think about and the commitment must be on this.''

Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr will be concerned about Troost-Ekong's return to the treatment room, six weeks before the national team are expected to begin their preparations for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Asaba.

Ekong has started 24 of the 26 international matches played by the Super Eagles since the appointment of Rohr as coach.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel