Anthony Nlebem
Former Super Eagles midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju, has expressed shock over Umar Sadiq’s injury but backed the Nigerian striker to return stronger, The PUNCH reports.
Sadiq, who joined Sociedad on transfer deadline day, ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament during a match against Getafe on Sunday. He has since been ruled out of action for the remainder of the season.
“Sadiq Umar suffered a right knee sprain during the Getafe-RS match, held on Sunday,” a club statement revealed.
“After the tests carried out today on the player, he has been diagnosed with a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in the right leg.
“He will start physiotherapy treatment. However, he will undergo surgical treatment.”
Adepoju, who spent four years at Real Sociedad said,” It’s a setback for him, just like every other injury. A player who arrived at Sociedad with so much energy to score goals finds himself injured and ruled out for six to nine months; this could have a psychological impact on him.
“But, it’s also not the end of his career, I expect him to return much earlier and start scoring goals. I will advise him to remain calm and follow up his recovery process diligently as instructed by his doctor.”
The 25-year-old, who has registered three goals so far this season, has now joined compatriots Jamilu Collins, Victor Osimhen, Kenneth Omeruo and Akinkunmi Amoo, who are all set to miss Nigeria’s friendly against Algeria on September 27.