Joel Obi and Brown Ideye recalled for March friendlies as Rohr lists 25-man team for Poland and Serbia games

SUPER Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has recalled Torino midfielder Joel Obi and Malaga striker Brown Ideye to camp for the two forthcoming friendlies next month against Poland and Serbia.

On March 23, the Eagles will face Poland in Wroclaw and three days later play Serbia at Barnet's The Hives stadium in north London as the team steps up preparations for this summer's World Cup. It is expected that about 25 players will be called to camp and the two games will be used to determine which 23 make it to Russia.

Mr Rohr is thought to have already finalised his list and has added Obi and Ideye, who have both missed recent call-ups due to injury. With both players showing fine form in Italy and Spain at the moment, it is almost certain that they will make the World Cup squad, even if they are not starters.

Torino has confirmed Joel Obi's invitation via a statement on its official website. So far the midfielder, who can also play as a leftback, has made 15 Serie A appearances with four goals to his name despite playing just in front of the back four.

Obi, 26, is staging a return to the national team set up of Nigeria after a four year absence due to constant and nagging injuries that have plagued him. He last represented Nigeria in a pre World Cup friendly game against Scotland on May 28 of May 2014 but could not make the tournament due to fitness issues.

Ideye, who recently moved to Spanish La Liga side Malaga has also earned his recall to the team on the strength of his impressive showings for the struggling side since his move their in January. A former West Bromwich Albion striker, Ideye has played in all of the team's four games since his arrival with a goal to his name despite the team struggling.

Ideye last featured for the Super Eagles in their first Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying game against Zambia in Ndola in 2016 which Nigeria won 2-1. Since joining Malaga in January, Ideye, 29, has regained the form that made him a Super Eagles starter under former coach Stephen Keshi.

It is also believed that the trio of Chidebere Nwakali of Aberdeen, Victor Osimhen of Wolfsburg and Hapoel Beer-Sheva forward Anthony Nwakaeme have been excluded from the squad to face Poland and Serbia. Elderson Echiejile, Odion Ighalo, Ogenyi Onazi, Victor Moses and Mikel Agu who missed the last games against Algeria and Argentina due to injuries are expected to be named in the 25-man squad for the March friendlies.

One Nigerian Football Federation source said: “No major surprises in the team list actually, but it’s more likely Ideye returns but Nwakeame won’t be in the squad.  However, the first team players who missed the last two games in November will be included.”

Mr Rohr is expected to announce his squad that will prosecute the games by Friday this week, with invited players asked to arrive in Poland on March 19. Nigeria has been drawn alongside Argentina, Croatia and Iceland in Group D for the World Cup and hopes are high that the team will do well this time around.