Another Nigerian player battling to overcome injury ahead of Italian Serie A return 

Cremonese manager Davide Ballardini is unlikely to call upon Nigerian striker David Okereke when his side face Ademola Lookman's Atalanta in the Italian Serie A on Saturday afternoon.

Ahead of the visit of Atalanta, Cremonese have released a medical report, stating that the former Nigeria U23 international did not train fully with the rest of his teammates but underwent individual training on the pitch. 

Okereke is the second Nigerian player rated as a huge doubt to make an appearance in the Italian top-flight in the next round of matches, after Torino wingback Ola Aina.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, via Calcio Cremonese, Okereke is struggling with muscle pain in his right thing - an injury he suffered during Cremonese's last game before the international break at Monza. 

Okereke had to make way for compatriot Cyriel Dessers with 25 minutes left on the clock due to the ailment. 

Cremonese coach Ballardini is hoping he recovers in time for the semifinal of the Italian Cup against Fiorentina on Wednesday, April 5.

Okereke has performed well for a struggling Cremonese side with a goal involvement of ten in 29 all-competition appearances this season. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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