Just when it appeared that Nigeria had overcome the rash of injuries to key players of the Super Eagles last weekend, Stoke City of England midfielder, Oghenekaro Etebo brought back fitness worries to the team.
Footballlive.ng gathered that Etebo was early Tuesday ruled out of his team’s English Championship clash away to Sheffield United later same day, due to a hamstring injury.
Etebo’s absence was a huge blow for Stoke, who were relegated from the English Premier League last season, but are struggling in the lower division this term as well.
The 22-year-old Etebo made 11 appearances in the second-tier league for The Potters since joining them in the summer, but the team are 17th in the 24-team table with 16 points from 13 matches.
Sadly, Etebo was bound to miss out on a bit of club history, as Sheffield United and Stoke have not faced each other since December 2007 in a previous English Championship clash at Bramall Lane.
Back then, Etebo’s team got a 3-0 victory, which many pundits felt they would replicate on Tuesday, as The Potters have conceded just four goals in their past seven league games against Sheffield United.
However, Sheffield United have won more Championship matches than any other side this season (8) and have lost just one game fewer (4) than Stoke (5) despite being 15 places above the Potters.
Ironically, Etebo’s side have conceded first in seven Championship ties this season and are yet to come from behind to win any of those games.
