Sevilla boss Pimienta confirms Nigeria’s Ejuke, Iheanacho available for La Liga clash with Villarreal

Sevilla boss García Pimienta has revealed that Nigerian attackers Chidera Ejuke and Kelechi Iheanacho will be available when the club files out for their second league game of the season, Soccernet.ng reports.

Ejuke and Iheanacho missed Sevilla’s 2-2 draw away at Las Palmas last weekend for different reasons and the duo will look to be actively involved when the record Europa League winners host Villarreal on Friday.

Former CSKA Moscow star Ejuke impressed during the preseason training sessions for Sevilla but was surprisingly left out of the entire game at Las Palmas.

However, Sevilla boss Pimienta has allayed any injury fears regarding the Nigerian playmaker, while suggesting that he has a part to play against Villarreal.

“Ejuke is doing very well,” Pimienta said at his pre-match press conference as per Vamios Sevilla.

“The other day he didn’t come in because of our decision considering the state of the team. Tomorrow, if necessary, he will help the team.”

Iheanacho was also not included in the matchday one squad after Sevilla were unable to register the former Leicester City star in time for the encounter.

However, that hurdle has been successfully scaled with the former Manchester City striker in line to make his La Liga debut at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán.

“For tomorrow we will have practically the entire squad except for Suso, who is injured. We want the team to be recognisable and to play as equals regardless of the opponent. Tomorrow we play at home.”

Sevilla, with seven UEFA Cup/Europa League titles – the most of any club, finished in a disappointing 14th position last season in La Liga, only eight points above the relegation zone.

The club has undergone a massive overhaul this summer, sanctioning the departure of several key players including Youssef En-Nesyri to Fenerbahce and Marcos Acuña to River Plate.