Onyeadika resumes training putting him in contention for World Cup playoffs selection

SUPER Eagles midfielder Raphael Onyeadika could be fit and ready for Nigeria's World Cup playoff games next month after he resumed training with his team Club Brugge after spending about a month out with a hamstring injury.

Onyeadika, 24, who was on the verge of joining English Premier League side West ham in the summer, has enjoyed a steady rise since joining Club Brugge from Danish club Midtjylland three years ago. A holding midfielder who shields the back four, he is a mixture of strength, technicality and doggedness, which has ensured that he has become a critical member of the Brugge first team.

On September 24, Onyeadika suffered a hamstring during a league match against Westerlo at the Jan Breydel Stadium. This ruled him out of Nigeria's last two World cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin Republic where two victories enable the team to secure a place in the playoffs, which will start with a game against Gabon on November 13.

Several Nigerian players missed the last two games including Ola Aina, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Onyeadika but the Brugge man may just be back on time as he has resumed light training with his club. Luckily for Onyeadika the type of injury he suffered does not require a surgery to correct and now, he is close to making his return.

Originally, the timeline for the Super Eagles star's return was five to six weeks and he has already done four weeks but he is now returning to action ahead of schedule. Onyedika will likely return to action in a week or two, making him available for selection for the Super Eagles too.

According to Transfermarkt, Onyeadika is valued at €20m but Africa Foot believes that Bruges will demand €24m before they let their star leave. It is still not yet clear if Brugge will sell him during the January transfer window if another offer comes in.