Porto team news: The likely player to replace Zaidu in starting lineup against Arsenal
Published: February 21, 2024![Porto team news: The likely player to replace Zaidu in starting lineup against Arsenal](../football_pics/68019Zaidu.png)
Porto manager Sérgio Conceição will not be able to count on the services of Zaidu Sanusi when his side take on Premier League giants Arsenal in a Champions League round of 16 first leg clash at the Estádio do Dragão on Wednesday night.
The Nigeria international has been ruled out for the remainder of the season and will go under the knife in the coming days.
In his first game after international duty with the Super Eagles at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Zaidu completely ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament and the external lateral ligament of his left knee and the initial prognosis is at least a six-month layoff.
According to the projected starting lineup published by Portuguese sports daily O Jogo, the likely player to replace Zaidu at left-back in tonight's Champions League clash against the Gunners is Brazilian defender Wendell.
Wendell has no injury issues and was left out of Porto's last league game against Estrela da Amadora only because he was serving a suspension.
Wendell's selection as Zaidu's stand-in comes as no surprise, as he deputized for the Nigerian during his absence at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, earning seven consecutive starts in the Liga Portugal.
Additionally, Wendell started two games during the Champions League group stage, facing Barcelona and Royal Antwerp, as Zaidu was recovering from a previous muscle injury.
It's worth noting that Porto boasts an undefeated record at home against Arsenal, having won two matches and drawn one in three previous UEFA encounters at the Estádio do Dragão.
Igho Kingsley
Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
- Opposition watch: Japan include West Ham trio, Chelsea, Liverpool and Man Utd stars in Olympic squad
- Super Eagles winger Ejuke joins Sevilla on three -year deal subject to medical on Monday, June 17
- Euro 2024: Italy beat Nigeria to Folorunsho as Napoli midfielder makes stoppage time appearance v Albania
- 'If only he had Austrian roots' - Ralf Rangnick puzzled over omission of Olise from France's Euro squad
- 'Objective always the PL' - Italian report reveals Osimhen has ruled out Al-Hilal move; PSG an alternative
- Best sites like DraftKings in the USA (updated list)
- Golden Eaglets-eligible central defender agrees two new deals with Chelsea
- Man Utd joined by AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund in pursuit of Flying Eagles-eligible striker
- TEMU Affiliate Program 2024: Earn up to £100,000 a month
- Finidi v Osimhen face-off: The Super Eagles player that convinced Napoli striker to stop Instagram Live rant
![As featured on NewsNow: Football News](pics/newsnow_ab.gif)
![Hire the right candidates on MyJobMag](https://www.myjobmag.com/images/recruit-ad1.png)
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football