Wolverhampton Wanderers' Portugal striker ruled out of friendly against Nigeria 

Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Pedro Neto is not in the plans of Portugal manager Fernando Santos for next month's friendly against the Super Eagles. 

Wolves confirmed through their official website on Friday that the 22-year-old has to undergo surgery after sustaining an ankle injury against West Ham on Saturday where he strained the lateral ligaments.

The Premier League club also confirmed that he will not be fit for the 2022 World Cup, meaning he is also expected to miss the friendly against Nigeria scheduled to take place at the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon on November 17.

Neto scored on his Portugal debut against Andorra in a friendly before appearing in two World Cup qualifiers. 

Six other Wolves players José Sá, Matheus Nunes, Rúben Neves, Nélson Semedo, João Moutinho and Gonçalo Guedes remain in contention to be named in the squad to face Nigeria. 

Nigeria have their own injury problems ahead of the glamour friendly, with Real Sociedad's Umar Sadiq, Cardiff City's Jamilu Collins and Red Bull Salzburg's Samson Tijani not available for selection due to injuries. 

The friendly against Nigeria is Portugal's last preparatory game before their trip to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup.

Portugal will use the friendly to prepare for their 2022 World Cup Group H clash against Ghana on November 24.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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