Iheanacho Trains With Celtic Ahead Of Feyenoord Clash, Updates Emerge On Chukwueze, Aina

Nigerian winger, Kelechi Iheanacho handed Celtic a lift on Wednesday after he was spotted in full training with the Scottish champions, just a day before their Europa League trip to Feyenoord.

The club shared photographs of the squad going through their paces on its official social media pages, and Iheanacho was seen actively involved in group drills. Whether interim manager Martin O’Neill will take the Nigerian forward to Rotterdam remains unclear.

The Super Eagles striker has been out since pulling his hamstring in the opening minutes of Celtic’s 2-1 win against Sturm Graz on 23 October. His injury forced him out of six straight matches, including the League Cup semi-final meeting with Rangers.

Before the setback, the former Manchester City man had started to settle in well at Celtic Park, contributing four goal involvements in eight appearances across all competitions. He has not featured for Nigeria since the Unity Cup match against Jamaica, and the injury brought an end to hopes of a recall for the World Cup qualifying games.

Since Eric Chelle became Super Eagles manager, Iheanacho has yet to play a competitive fixture under the Malian coach.

In Italy, AC Milan look set for a significant windfall if Fulham exercise their option to buy Samuel Chukwueze at the end of the season. According to Soccernet.ng, the Serie A side could receive €23 million, roughly ₦39 billion, should the Cottagers decide to make the winger’s loan move permanent next summer.

Chukwueze joined Fulham on deadline day after falling out of favour in Milan. The agreement included an option to buy rather than an obligation, giving Fulham flexibility as they assess whether he fits into Marco Silva’s long-term plans.

Although his start in London was quiet, the Nigerian winger is gradually making his presence felt. He impressed last week against Sunderland, coming off the bench for his fifth Premier League appearance and delivering a lively half-hour cameo. His performance earned him the Man of the Match award, with Sofascore rating him the best player on the pitch. If he maintains that level, Silva is expected to reward him with a more prominent role.

Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche has revealed that Ola Aina is yet to rejoin full training as the club prepares for Thursday’s Europa League tie against Malmö.

Aina has been nursing a hamstring injury picked up during Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with South Africa in September’s World Cup qualifier. The setback ruled him out of four recent Super Eagles matches, including crucial playoff fixtures in Morocco, and he has missed 14 club games for Forest.

Despite sharing videos of himself training individually, the defender has not made the final step back to team sessions. Dyche confirmed the situation, saying: “Ola Aina is not on the grass with us yet, he’s still going to take a bit of time.”

Source: Naijanews