Leicester City want NFF to rest Ndidi for Ukraine friendly fearing he may suffer burnout

ENGLISH Premier League side Leicester City have asked the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to excuse Wilfred Ndidi from the Super Eagles forthcoming game against Ukraine on September 10 saying he needs to rest as he is suffering from fatigue.

Next month, Nigeria will face Ukraine in a friendly game at the Dnipro Stadium, in what will be the first ever encounter between the senior sides of the two nations. Ndidi, is one of the 23 players Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has called up for the match but his clubside want him rested saying the midfielder has played too many games over the last year.

Ndidi played in all of Nigeria's games at the Africa Cup of Nations during the summer and upon his return to Leicester, he has played in their both games despite missing pre-season after being given an extended break. Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers is of the opinion that Ndidi has not had enough rest since the end of last season, where he was ever present for the team.

Between now and September 10 when the Ukraine friendly will take place, Ndidi would have played in around six games for the Foxes and Mr Rodgers is worried about this. He is fearful that the midfielder may suffer burnout as a result of his busy schedule, so plans on meeting with the NFF to discuss giving Ndidi a break.

Meanwhile, Mr Rohr is likely experiment with a new duo in attack for the Ukraine game, using a combination of Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen. With both players showing great form with their clubs Villarreal and Lille respectively, Mr Rohr is keen to see if they can replicate this with the Eagles.

Chukwueze opened his goal account in his team 4-4 draw against Granada last weekend while Osimhen got off the mark with a brace for French Ligue One side Lille on his debut two weeks ago. With Odion Ighalo now having retired, Coach Rohr has to look for a new strike force to deliver goals upfront.