Leon Balogun On Being 'Injury Prone', Competition With Omeruo & Ekong For Starting Shirt

Brighton & Hove star Leon Balogun was not pleased to be labelled as an injury-prone player, stressing that he has not had any serious injury in the last couple of years.

The German-born center back is an injury worry for the Super Eagles ahead of Saturday's meeting with Zimbabwe and did not take part in full training yesterday because he's nursing blisters on his foot.

''Injuries are part of the game, I don't know when I picked up my last big injury, there are players out there who constantly missed games, tournaments on a very high level, much bigger injuries than myself,'' Balogun said at Thursday's press conference attended by allnigeriasoccer.com.

''I've never had any serious injuries, you will always see me back on the pitch after one month, fourteen days. My injury problems, I'll say it's part of the game, it happens.

''Five years I have been part of the Super Eagles now, I've proven that I've overcome injuries and always doing my job''.

Following Balogun's limited playing opportunities in the 2018-2019 campaign, he has admitted that he has a difficult job to displace Kenneth Omeruo and William Troost-Ekong in the Super Eagles starting line-up.

''I think there's always pressure. We are actually five center backs if you count Semi Ajayi because he's also very capable of playing in that position, and also Chidozie.

''Of course there is pressure, if you compare me to Kenneth and William they definitely had more game time this season which is mentally an advantage.

''But then I think whenever I played I did my job. I am lucky that the coach always has put his trust in me which takes the pressure away.

''I always feel big trust whenever I come to the Super Eagles which helps me to stay on top of my game.

''But definitely I know I have to do more than maybe before because there are two players who had great seasons - both of them very, very well.

''Again it is the coach's decision at the end. It is about us a team, I am not a player who will make any kind of trouble.

''If this should be the case, I will definitely be disappointed but I think everyone wants to win the trophy, that must be our ultimate goal,'' he added.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel