Injury Concern For Dele-Bashiru, Iheanacho Wins Praise From Rodgers

Nigerian midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is waiting on medical results after limping out of Lazio’s derby clash with AS Roma at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.

Dele-Bashiru, 24, started the hotly contested Derby della Capitale under coach Maurizio Sarri but lasted only 14 minutes before pulling up with what appeared to be a thigh injury. He was immediately replaced by youngster Reda Belahyane.

Dele-Bashiru’s selection had already raised questions after he skipped Friday’s training session with muscle discomfort. According to Il Messaggero via La Lazio Siamo Noi, the staff cleared him late to feature in the derby. That decision backfired as Lazio lost 1-0, with Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini scoring the decisive goal before half-time.

Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport reported, “He is set for tests to determine the severity of the injury. Reda Belahyane would step in starting from next Monday’s game versus Genoa if he had to miss time.”

The former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder has appeared in all four of Lazio’s Serie A fixtures this season. Though not regarded as one of Sarri’s favourites, he has been a regular starter because of the club’s transfer ban, which prevented summer reinforcements. His injury could hand Belahyane a bigger role, with the Moroccan tipped to take up a place in Sarri’s midfield trident.

While Dele-Bashiru faces uncertainty in Rome, fellow Super Eagles star Kelechi Iheanacho is enjoying a bright start in Scotland.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has hailed the striker’s fitness and impact since arriving at Parkhead. Iheanacho, who joined the Scottish champions on a free transfer after leaving Sevilla, was handed a starting shirt in Sunday’s League Cup quarter-final against Partick Thistle.

The 27-year-old played 59 minutes, providing an assist early in the second half as Celtic cruised to a 4-0 victory. He was later replaced by Daizen Maeda, but his manager was full of praise.

Rodgers, quoted by Foot Africa, described him as “one of the leanest players in the squad,” pointing out that he had arrived sharp despite not playing much football before his move to Glasgow.

Iheanacho has now contributed to two goals in his first two appearances, having scored a late penalty on his debut against Kilmarnock.

His quick adaptation could prove crucial with Celtic preparing for a Europa League tie this week, before a mouthwatering League Cup semi-final against Rangers at Hampden Park in November.