Despite missing the rest of the English Premier League (EPL) season due to a hamstring injury, Leicester City midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, 21, has been tipped to be fully fit to return to action before Nigeria plays her last World Cup 2018 tune up game against Czech Republic on June 6.
Ndidi sustained the injury last Saturday in his 33rd EPL game for Leicester this season against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Yesterday, Media Officer of the Super Eagles, Toyin Ibitoye, dispelled fears being expressed in football circles that the utility defensive midfielder may be ruled out of the World Cup proper when it kicks off on June 14 in Russia.
“He may not play again for Leicester City this season, but he is likely to at least play our final friendly against Czech Republic on June 6,†Ibitoye stressed yesterday in a radio programme monitored in Lagos.
While ruling him out of Super Eagles World Cup warm-up games against DR Congo in Port Harcourt on May 28 and the international friendly against England’s Three Lions at Wembley on June 2, the Media Officer hinted that Ndidi was making progress.
“He’s making good progress, I have been in contact with the medical team (of the Super Eagles) and he is recovering faster than they had even anticipated,†Ibitoye emphasised.
The Nigeria international was among the big winners at the Foxes’ end of the season award night where he scooped the Best Young Talent honour for the second time since his arrival at the King Power Stadium from Genk in January 2017.
Ndidi saw off competition from Ben Chilwell and Demarai Gray to claim the award but he lost the Players’ Player of the Season and Player of the Season awards to Harry Maguire.
He has been a consistent performer at the heart of the Foxes midfield and is currently the best tackler in the English Premier League this season with 138 successful tackles.
Ndidi’s Super Eagles teammate, Leon Balogun is just getting back to action after he was similarly sidelined from Bundesliga games for Main 05 due to injury.
