Rangers have received a major injury boost after it transpired that an injury picked up by Leon Balogun on Nigeria duty last week was only a minor knock.
The Gers centre-back was taken off with 25 minutes remaining in the Super Eagles’ dramatic 4-4 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying draw with Sierra Leone on Friday, with Premium Times Nigeria reporting that he was struggling with an injury.
That news prompted fears that Balogun, who has suffered more than his fair share of injury problems in the past, could have been set for another spell on the sidelines.
An absence of any length would have presented Steven Gerrard with a considerable problem, as with Niko Katic out injured, George Edmundson suspended and Lewis Mayo out on loan, he would only have had two senior centre-backs available.
However, Balogun managed to shake off his knock in just a matter of days and he started Nigeria’s rematch with Sierra Leone in Freetown on Tuesday.
Balogun played the full 90 minutes in the heart of defence as the Super Eagles slipped up again, drawing 0-0 with a side who are 88 places below them in the FIFA World Rankings.
Joe Aribo also started the match and played 83 minutes in midfield but wasn’t able to break the stalemate.
Nigeria remain top of AFCON Qualifying Group L on eight points with two games remaining.
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