Skipper of the Nigeria Under 20 squad to the 2009 Fifa Under 20 World Cup in Egypt, Odion Ighalo, who is presently undergoing rehabilitation from an ankle injury sustained in a friendly three weeks ago, is hopeful of returning to the pitch in Granada's next weekend fixture against Barcelona at the Nou Camp.

In the last hours of the summer transfer market, it was announced that the Nigerian youngster will be spending his fourth consecutive season on loan at The Rojiblancos horizontales. The 23 -year -old has failed to return to Spain to join the rest of  his teammates.

''I twisted my ankle three weeks ago in a friendly playing for Udinese. So the club decided to let me finish the treatment here before I leave to join Granada because they have better facilities here in Italy.

''Doctors had diagnosed that I'd be out of action for between four to five weeks. If things go according to plan,  I hope to play next weekend against Barcelona,'' says Ighalo to allnigeriasoccer.com.

Odion Ighalo will depart Italy for Spain this weekend. The attacker was the top scorer last season for Granada with 6 strikes in 30 matches.