Yobo Out Of Europe Game

Shuaibu Amodu’s injury headaches continue to pile up ahead of preparations for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations, with defensive stalwart, Joseph Yobo the latest to pick up a knock.

Yobo failed to travel with the Everton squad for Wednesday’s Europa League game against AEK Athens after he picked up a hamstring injury that led to his late substitution in the 2-0 derby defeat to Liverpool.

That brings to four, the number of players Amodu will have to do without for the next couple of weeks at least, as he prepares to name his squad for the Nations Cup training camp in Namibia.

Out of reckoning is Ike Uche, who is recovering from a long term ACL injury. Midfielder Seyi Olofinjana has been ruled out for a month, while forward Obafemi Martins will also be unavailable for the same period as he is set to undergo surgery this week.

Two Nigerians have travelled with Everton though, Yakubu Ayegbeni and youngster Hope Akpan, as Victor Anichebe continues to recuperate from a broken leg.