Nigeria striker Ikechukwu Uche has suffered a setback in his bid to return from injury and will miss his country‘s forthcoming friendly with South Korea.
But the Real Zaragoza star is still hopeful of being ready to start the new Spanish league campaign in late August.
He missed most of the 2009-10 season after suffering a knee ligament injury but will now have to undergo surgery.
”All being well I will return to full training in approximately one month,” Uche, 26, told BBC Sport.
It is thought he has torn the meniscus in the same knee he injured previously.
”The scan result was quite encouraging and I will adhere strictly to the doctor‘s orders in terms of full recovery,” Uche added.
”I had been warned whilst doing my rehabilitation last year that minor setbacks like this one could occur, so I will take my time to get back.”
The Nigerian called the blow a ‘minor setback‘ but it will prove further frustration for Real Zaragoza and Nigeria,who had only just recalled him for a friendly against South Korea on August 11 in Seoul.
He missed out on a place in the Nigeria squad for the World Cup in South Africa, partly because of his previous injury.
Zaragoza open the Spanish season with a trip to Deportivo La Coruna on August 29, while Nigeria begin their 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar at home on September 4 in Abuja.
December 23, 2009, 08:04:35 AM