Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, has expressed serious doubts on the availability of Chelsea star John Mikel Obi for the May 31 international game with Mexico.
The African champions face Mexico in Houston, Texas, on May 31 to prepare for a hectic schedule in June when they will play two World Cup qualifiers as well as feature in the FIFA Confederations Cup.
Mikel is in England to process an entry visa to Brazil in time for the Confederations Cup.
“I’m not sure he’s coming,” Keshi told MTNFootball.com from the Eagles training camp in Germany.
“Our agreement before with Chelsea was for them to drop off both Mikel and Victor Moses after their own game. But now he is pursuing a visa to Brazil.
“We’re also not sure about his condition, if he is fit or not.
“And so, Mikel might not be there with us,” said the former Nigerian skipper.
The Eagles have been seriously depleted by the withdrawal of several players because of injury as well as club engagements.
Victor Moses, Emmanuel Emenike, Kalu Uche and Gabriel Reuben have already been ruled out because of injury, while Ahmed Musa, Fegor Ogude and Efe Ambrose are involved in cup finals at their various European clubs.
Meanwhile, Chelsea has confirmed that Moses is not expected to be fully fit until July 6.
Keshi also confirmed Thursday that the English Premier League club has informed Eagles officials they expect Moses to be back playing again by July 6.
Chelsea said Moses has been battling injuries towards the tail end of the season and as such he is unavailable for a series of matches involving Nigeria.
The 22-year-old Moses passed a late fitness test to be in the Chelsea squad for the all important clash with Aston Villa earlier this month.
Moses picked up a knock in a 2-2 draw at home against Tottenham Hotspur.
“Chelsea has informed us that Moses cannot play again till July 6, but he will be with them in the US,” Keshi disclosed.
However, the nature of the winger’s injury is not clear.
The Eagles are expected to fly out of Frankfurt, Germany, to the US on Tuesday morning.
