Iheanacho declared fit to join Nations Cup squad as Peseiro looks to replace injured Boniface

LEICESTER City striker Kelechi Iheanacho is on his way to join his Super Eagles team mates currently in camp for the African Cup of Nations after being given the all clear by his club's medical doctors.

Africa's most prestigious tournament will be taking place between January 13 and February 11 and Nigeria is one of the main contenders for the trophy. Iheanacho, 27, had been a doubt for the tournament after picking up a muscle injury on Boxing Day but he is now fit again and Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro expects him to join his team mates this week.

Mr Peseiro said: "Kelechi arrives in Côte d'Ivoire. He has finished the treatment now in Leicester City."

Iheanacho has been in good form for Leicester this season and his five goals so have played a vital role in the club enjoying 10-point lead at the top of the English Championship table. His performances for Nigeria have arguably been even more influential as he has scored or assisted in each of his last five appearances for the national team.

Although Iheanacho appears to have been given the all clear, Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface is certainly out of the Nations Cup. He has been ruled out with a groin injury and is unlikely to play before April, so Mr Peseiro has placed Glasgow Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers on standby as a potential replacement.

Dessers, 29, has received his fair share of criticism this season for his performances but he has still managed to score nine goals, including a crucial one in Spain against Real Betis in the Europa League. He was snubbed by Mr Peseiro for the African Cup of Nations despite being named in the original preliminary squad but may now het an opportunity to shine.

Originally, Mr Peseiro decided to call up Nice striker Terem Moffi as his replacement but because his inclusion came after the official deadline, his club Nice are under no obligation to release their player and could refuse his release. Dessers is thus next in line to go to the tournament if Nice do not release Moffi.

A Nigerian Football Federation spokesman said: "Terem Moffi has been called as a replacement but that is subject to his club allowing him to be released." Mr  Peseiro is already under pressure after a disastrous final warm-up game that  saw the Super Eagles lose 2-0 to Guinea yesterday.