Super Eagles duo set to battle as Dele-Bashiru gets major Lazio boost for Monza tie

Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru has handed Lazio and Nigeria a timely boost after returning to full group training ahead of the Serie A meeting with Monza on October 11, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 25-year-old had been sidelined since August 24, when he lasted 54 minutes of Lazio's 1-0 victory at Bologna before suffering a right-thigh injury. Medical examinations revealed a first- to second-degree tear, initially expected to keep him out for at least three weeks.

The recovery lasted considerably longer than that initial forecast, but Dele-Bashiru has now trained with his Lazio teammates and is expected to be available when Gennaro Gattuso's side return to Serie A action against Monza at the Stadio Olimpico. Italian reports suggest he could feature in a warm-up friendly before the league encounter, with a place on the bench a more realistic target against Monza.

A Super Eagles midfield duel in Rome

The fixture could produce an intriguing Super Eagles faceoff, with Dele-Bashiru potentially lining up against Ebenezer Akinsanmiro.

Akinsanmiro joined Monza from Inter on loan in August and has already made four Serie A appearances this season, accumulating 266 minutes and supplying one assist. His last league outing came against Sassuolo on September 18, when he played 56 minutes in Monza's 2-1 victory.

Dele-Bashiru, meanwhile, played 71 minutes against Mantova in the Coppa Italia before starting Lazio's Serie A opener at Bologna, giving him 123 competitive minutes before the injury halted his momentum.

His return also arrives with Nigeria's next major international window approaching in November, when the Super Eagles resume their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign against Tanzania. A successful return against Monza would give Eric Chelle another midfield option after Dele-Bashiru missed Nigeria's September qualifiers and October international assignment.