Injured midfielder Onyedika ruled out of Gent v Club Brugge, doubtful to face Aston Villa

Raphael Onyedika will not be named in Club Brugge's matchday squad on Saturday afternoon when they take on Gent in the Jupiler Pro League.

According to the online edition of Dutch-language newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws, the Belgian champions will have to do without Raphael Onyedika against Gent.

The Nigeria international was substituted midway through the first half after suffering an injury as Club Brugge were beaten 2-1 by Standard Liege last weekend.

The report added that Onyedika is not fit enough to be named in the squad to face Gent, and is doubtful for next Tuesday's Champions League clash against Aston Villa. 

The exact nature of the FC Ebedei product’s condition is unclear, but his heavy involvement in games this season raises the possibility of burnout.

Onyedika has appeared in thirty-eight matches across all competitions, including thirty-two starts, and has two goals and two assists. 

Nigeria manager Eric Chelle is expected to keep a close eye on Onyedika's fitness before naming his squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

Assuming he is fully fit, the young midfielder is a shoo-in to be named in the Super Eagles matchday squads for the back-to-back games in March. 

Chelle will not be able to count on the services of West Brom center back Semi Ajayi for the World Cup qualifiers, while there are concerns over the fitness of Lazio's Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Al-Kholood's influential defender William Troost-Ekong, who is battling a muscle injury.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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