Through official channels, Turkish Super Lig club Trabzonspor have confirmed that Nigerian centre-back Chibuike Nwaiwu faces a spell on the sidelines after suffering an injury during the match against Fatih Karagümrük last Friday.

The highly-rated defender has been widely mentioned in the local media as a key candidate to strengthen the Super Eagles’ defence ahead of a planned four-nation invitational tournament later this month.

If recent developments in the Middle East permit the four-nation tournament to take place, which seems unlikely at this stage, Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle is expected to unveil his squad for the proposed friendlies within the next two weeks.

Nwaiwu's prospects of earning a maiden national team call-up appear to have diminished, after a Monday afternoon statement from Trabzonspor concerning his health.

Trabzonspor announced that following an examination and MRI scan of Nwaiwu, bleeding and edema were identified in the inner thigh muscles of his left leg.

The club did not provide an expected return date but confirmed that the player has begun treatment under the supervision of the medical team.

Nwaiwu has impressed since joining Trabzonspor from Wolfsberger AC in the January transfer window, registering three goal involvements in nine appearances from his defensive position. 

The 22-year-old made way for Mathias Løvik in the 73rd minute of Trabzonspor's victory over Fatih Karagümrük.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel