Nigeria have been dealt a blow with news that Hope Akpan has sustained a serious shoulder injury.
The 23-year old England-born Reading midfielder was making just his third international for the Super Eagles when he was forced off during the first half of the African Cup of Nations qualifying win over Congo.
It has since been confirmed that Akpan has suffered a dislocated shoulder which is expected to keep him sidelined for up to three months.
Akpan saw a specialist in Berkshire this week and is expected to undergo surgery on the problem area sometime next week. It appears as though he will now miss the African Cup of Nations in January.
