Nigeria striker Owen Oseni faces six weeks out with ankle injury

Nigeria striker Owen Oseni is expected to miss around six weeks after suffering an ankle injury during Plymouth Argyle’s match against Crystal Palace Under-21s last month.

The 23-year-old was forced off after just 33 minutes of the game, adding to a difficult start to the season after he had already missed a significant part of Plymouth’s pre-season.

Plymouth head coach Tom Cleverley said the club were taking extra care with Oseni’s recovery because the forward has previously suffered problems with the same ankle.

“Because it’s an ankle he’s injured in the past, the specialist has advised we take a little bit more time to make sure that ankle heals and is as stable as it can be,” Cleverley told BBC Radio Devon.

Cleverley frustrated by Oseni setback

Cleverley expressed his disappointment at the latest injury, particularly after Oseni had worked to regain his fitness following his disrupted pre-season.

“I’m disappointed for him because his season’s not got going. He missed a large part of pre-season, and then he’s trying to chase a little bit of fitness. Then, in a sort of nothing action of the game, chasing a ball into the channel, the defender falls on him and his ankle sprains.

“It was an important game that he played in against Palace Under-21s, and unfortunately he didn’t come out the other end of it fit.”

The injury means Oseni will now face another period of rehabilitation as he waits to return to first-team football.

Oseni looking to build on Nigeria breakthrough

Oseni joined Plymouth from Scottish side St Mirren last summer after scoring 10 goals in 33 appearances during an impressive campaign.

His form earned him a first senior appearance for Nigeria in May, marking an important milestone in his international career.

The latest injury is another setback for the forward as he attempts to establish himself at Plymouth and build on his breakthrough with the Super Eagles.

Plymouth will hope the cautious approach to his recovery allows Oseni to return fully fit after the expected six-week absence.