Former Sweden U20 international Emmanuel Ekong says he is ready to play his first match of the new Allsvenskan season after recovering from a minor injury.

Emmanuel is the son of former Super Eagles midfielder Prince Ikpe Ekong, who was a member of the Nigeria side that finished third at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations, featuring in a group game versus Benin and the bronze medal match against Mali. 

The Italian-born forward was not called up for Malmo's first six games of the campaign after suffering a knee injury before the season opener against Örgryte IS.

The 23-year-old suffered the setback during training ahead of the start of the new season after making a sudden change of direction.

Despite initial fears, the injury was not as serious as first anticipated, with the forward relieved to avoid surgery.

"It was a minor knee injury. I'm still grateful it wasn't worse than it was," Ekong said to Fotbollskanalen.

"It was a small meniscus injury that I got during a training session, during the national team week.

"I felt it in my knee and went in straight away. I had an X-ray the next day and they said that it was a small part of the meniscus that was damaged.

"But it was so small, so I'm back now."

Ekong is expected to be available for Malmo's away fixture against BK Hacken on Sunday.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel