Bild reports that Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface is set to be out for six weeks with a groin injury picked up in preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria.
A diagnosis on Monday revealed the extent of the injury meaning the striker will miss the tournament. Boniface will travel back to Leverkusen where he will be treated for the injury. This means that Boniface will now be out for longer than AFCON was meant to last.
Things could get worse for Leverkusen as Nathan Tella could potentially be called up to replace Boniface as the former Southampton winger was on the provisional squad list.
Leverkusen have key matches on the horizon which will play a big part in determining their season. In the league, they face RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich whilst in the DFB Pokal they play VfB Stuttgart in the quarter-finals. Just before the winter break, Patrik Schick showed a glimpse of what he may be able to offer in Boniface’s absence as he scored a hat trick in his first Bundesliga start of the season against Bochum.
GGFN | Jack Meenan