Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho breaks hand on international duty

Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho suffered a hand fracture while on duty with Nigeria on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old forward broke his first metacarpal bone ahead of yesterday’s 2-0 defeat to Serbia at the Hive Stadium in Serbia.

Broken hand

Nigeria’s coach Gernot Roar confirmed the injury just before the game.

‘Unfortunately, we have one broken hand’, said Rohr, according to the Leicester Mercury. ‘This player cannot play. He has fractured the first metacarpal. This is Kelechi Iheanacho, so he will not be with us.’

Iheanacho is set to be assessed by Leicester’s medical team ahead of the Premier League trip to Brighton on Saturday.

The Nigerian joined the Foxes from Manchester City in August 2017, with a five-year contract.

Since joining Leicester, Iheanacho has scored one goal in 15 Premier League appearances, and four goals in five FA Cup matches.

Having accumulated 14 appearances and eight goals with Nigeria’s senior team, he is often regarded as one of the most important players in the team.