Falcons coach says Ashleigh Plumptre will rejoin squad once she recovers from injuries

SUPER Falcons interim manager Justin Madugu has revealed that former Leicester City defender Ashleigh Plumptre has been dropped from the team due to the frequent spate of injuries that have afflicted her lately.

Plumptre was one of Nigeria's standout performers in the last Fifa Women's World Cup but since them has been axed from the team. Tomorrow, the Falcons meet Cape Verde in an African Nations Cup qualifier at the MKO Abiola Stadium  in Abeokuta and then play the return leg next Tuesday.

For both legs, Plumptre has not been invited despite  recently wining the Best Player of The Month and the Best League Goal award in the Saudi league. Her continued absence has raised questions, prompting Mr Madugu to cite ongoing concerns about the Al Ittihad player’s frequent injuries

He said: “Ashleigh has been having a lot of injuries. She has been picking some knocks and she has not fully recovered. That is just the truth about it and she needed some rest and a break from the national team engagement so that she can recover fully but she is still part of the team.”

Mr Madugu acknowledged Plumptre’s potential contribution to the team and confirmed that she would be reinstated into the squad once she fully recuperates. In their last game, the Falcons beat Ethiopia 4-0 in an Olympic qualifier, winning the tie 5-1 on aggregate.