Sports
Yusuf backs injured Onyekuru to be fit ahead of 2018 World Cup
Super Eagles head coach, Salisu Yusuf has backed and On-loan Everton forward, Henry Onyekuru to be back to the game before the kick-off of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
The Anderlecht star was declared out for the rest of the season after tearing his medial ligament during Friday’s 1-0 win over his former club Eupen and was taken off on a stretcher in the 78th minute.
Scans during the weekend confirmed his worst fears that his season is over as he faces surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation.
“Henry Onyekuru has torn his medial bond,” Anderlecht wrote on their official website.
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With his participation being unlikely at next year’s World Cup in Russia, speaking to Complete Sports, Yusuf expressed hope that the 20-year-old will be back on his feet to challenge for a place in the squad ahead of the tournament.
“It’s always so sad for any player to go under the knife,” Yusuf said.
“Henry is a strong character and I trust him to bounce back stronger after the surgery. It will be nice to have him around before the World Cup too.”
Onyekuru cost Everton £6.8m in the summer, and has scored nine goals in 19 league appearances this season playing as a winger. His total haul is 10 goals in 28 games in all competitions.
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