Olympic National Team invitee Victor Deniran, 22, has not played for Bulgarian team Montana since November last year following an injury in a cup game.

In Deniran's absence, Montana struggled in the championship, failing to win their last two matches before the league went on recess. If the situation does not improve in the second stanza, they are doomed for relegation when hostilities end in May.

''I got injured in a cup game last November. I am trying to regain fitness, just started training with my team. And I hope we improve when the league resumes.

''We are in the relegation zone. Before the resumption of the league, I hope to be back and better and I am ready to help my team swim out of the relegation waters,'' says Deniran to allnigeriasoccer.com.

Before the knee injury cut short his season, he had played 6 matches in the league for Montana, who are second from bottom in the standings.