Super Eagles prospect begins 2023 on a sad note as injury knocks midfield maestro out for several weeks

The Super Eagles hopeful enjoyed a run of games in the first team towards the end of 2022

Watford have confirmed that Nigerian midfielder Tom Dele-Bashiru has suffered an injury that will keep him out of action until at least the end of February.

Announcing on their official website, the Hornets revealed that Dele-Bashiru sustained ankle ligament damage during the club’s Championship clash with Swansea at the Swansea.com Stadium on December 30.

Dele-Bashiru was replaced by James Morris in the 70th minute of that encounter as the hosts ran out 4–0 winners over the Hornets.

The Nigerian midfielder had picked up the knock in a hard challenge with an opponent, and according to Watford, the 23-year-old is set for a spell of at least a couple of months on the sidelines.

The former Flying Eagles star is effectively ruled out of Watford’s crucial league meeting away to Norwich City on Monday, January 2.

The Hornets have lost their last two games to Milwall and Swansea, conceding six goals and scoring none.

It is an even more disappointing situation for Tom Dele-Bashiru who has had his fair share of long-term injuries.

The former Reading ace was on the sidelines for months with a lateral collateral ligament injury before returning to competitive football action for Watford against Blackpool on October 8.

Until his latest ill luck, Tom Dele-Bashiru had rediscovered some of his best forms, making six league appearances and providing one assist – in the 2-0 away win at Huddersfield in mid-December – for Watford. 

Dele-Bashiru’s inconsistency is one of the reasons why he is yet to earn an invitation to the Super Eagles, despite his positive contributions to Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles.

Nigerian stars impress in Ligue 1

Meanwhile, three Super Eagles stars were in action for their respective French clubs on New Year’s Day.

Moses Simon played his part as Nantes earned a narrow 1-0 win at Auxerre.

And Nigerian striker Terem Moffi and midfielder Innocent Bonke were on as FC Lorient came from a goal deficit to beat Angers 2-1.

Moffi was not among the goalscorers, though. The young forward, however, has ten goals this season to sit in joint third among Ligue 1’s most astute finishers.