Brighton & Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton hopes Nigeria
defender Leon Balogun gets the chance to play for his country during the
international break.
Balogun, 30, who
joined the Seagulls last summer after running out his contract with German club
FSV Mainz, has however struggled for regular playing time at the club making
only eight league appearances since the start of the campaign.
Hughton has stick with the duo of Sean Duffy and Lewis Dunky, a
combination the former Werder Bremen of Germany defender has failed to
dislodge.
Balogun last
featured for Brighton in an FA Cup fourth round replay clash against West
Bromwich Albion on February 6.
He recently
returned to training after copping a shoulder injury in training and Hughton is
eager for him to play in a competitive game again.
“At this moment
it’s only Pascal Gross and Florin Andone who are out injured, and both of them
have a chance for Southampton.
“The good thing,
particularly with the cup run, is the players that haven’t featured so much
have at least had games.
“Leon Balogun,
for example, is going away on international duty with Nigeria and we’re hoping
he plays both matches,” Hughton told Brighton’s official website on Wednesday.
The Super Eagles
will be in action against Seychelles in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying
fixture on Friday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.
Gernot Rohr’s
men will also face the Pharaohs of Egypt in friendly encounter next week
Tuesday at the same venue.
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