Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has received devastating news from his homeland on Super Eagles defender Leon Balogun, less than 12 days before he must inform Nigerians about his 35-man provisional roster for the 2018 World Cup.

Ahead of this weekend's trip to Borussia Dortmund, Mainz have informed through official sources that Leon Balogun has not been able to participate in full training.
 
The central defender has not figured for Mainz since April 16, 2018 when he lasted 90 minutes on the pitch against SC Freiburg, due to a rib injury.

However, a source close to Balogun who advised him to play for the Nigerian national team over Germany has informed allnigeriasoccer.com that the player's injury is not as bad as it's being reported and he'll be fit for the World Cup.

Five players in Rohr's ideal starting line-up are battling to overcome injuries or lack of game time, with Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi joining Balogun and Joel Obi on the shelf, Alex Iwobi has been patched up for tonight's Europa League tie at Atlético Madrid, while Troost-Ekong has lost his first team spot at Bursaspor.

In addition, ADO Den Haag defender Tyronne Ebuehi has been out of action for 19 days now and Everton loanee Henry Onyekuru has not played competitively for more than four months.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel