Hull City fullback Ola Aina dropped from Nigeria's World Cup squad as Rohr prunes list to 25

HULL City fullback Ola Aina has been dropped from Nigeria's World Cup squad along with four other players as head coach Gernot Rohr begins pruning his squad with a goal of getting it down to 23 by Sunday.

On Saturday June 2, the Super Eagles will face England at Wembley Stadium in London, after which Mr Rohr will name his 23 players for the World Cup. Aina, 21, a recent introduction into the squad featured in Nigeria's recent 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo in Port Harcourt, coming on in the second half and conceding a late penalty which led to the Congolese equaliser.

Technically a Chelsea player, Aina is currently out on loan to English Championship side Hull City and had been hoping to make the final cut. However, today, Coach Rohr revealed that he had dropped Aina, Stephen Eze, Dele Ajiboye, Uche Agbo and Junior Lokosa, bringing his provisional list of 30 to 25.

Mr Rohr said: “We have some problems with our fullbacks but we will work on this, as we have a few days to be ready. We five fullbacks and we can only take four to the World Cup.”

It appears that Mr Rohr currently prefers the quartet of Elderson Echiejile, Brian Idowu, Shehu Abdullahi and Tyronne Ebuehi as his four fullbacks. However, Aina could yet make Nigeria’s World Cup squad are there are still doubts over the fitness of Benfica new signing Ebuehi ‎who was substituted in Nigeria’s 1-1 draw against Congo.

Limping off after he suffered from cramps in his muscles, Ebuehi is being monitored by the coaches, who have taken a decision to keep Aina with the squad until at least after the England game. If Ebuehi fails to recover, then Aina will be drafted in as his replacement.

One team source said: "Aina is still in with a slim chance but it all depends on how quickly Ebuehi recovers. For now he is not in contention to make the team to the World Cup but will remain with the team.”