Semi Ajayi ruled out of action for six weeks after undergoing surgery on his ankle

WEST Bromwich Albion (WBA) centreback Semi Ajayi has been ruled out of action for six weeks after he had an operation for an ankle injury he picked up during a recent English Championship league match against Wigan Athletic.

Ajayi, 28, had been on course to be invited for Nigeria's friendly match against the Desert Foxes of Algeria, due to take place in Oran on September 27. With the injury, however, he will now miss the game, joining the likes of Kenneth Omeruo, Victor Osimhen, Jamilu Collins and Sadiq Umar on the sidelines.

Ajayi has since undergone surgery and will now spend close to two months in rehabilitation, hoping to be back to help WBA chase promotion to the English Premier League. There were initial concerns over his knee and ankle but it was Ajayi's ankle which has caused the bulk of the problems and it has now been confirmed that he underwent corrective surgery in order to aid his recovery.

West Brom manager, Steve Bruce, said: “Semi has had an operation, We’ve listened to specialists and they’ve advised us that was the best thing to do going forward. We’re expecting him to be out for another six weeks but these things can change.

"We've had one or two injuries which have unfortunately for us been serious in that time. Semi has had an operation on his ankle. We felt it was the best forward, so he'll be another six to eight weeks or so."

Having surgery, and the rehabilitation that follows, means that Ajayi will do well to return to contention for Albion before the Championship season pauses for the winter World Cup in November. Earlier on in the season, Mr Bruce had described him as one of WBA's most important players as they sought a return to the Premier League.