Birmingham City manager Chris Davies faces a continued selection headache at right-back after Bright Osayi-Samuel's international commitments at the Africa Cup of Nations were extended.
Nigeria's Progress Delays Key Player's Return
The 28-year-old defender will miss Saturday's FA Cup third-round clash against Cambridge United after playing the full 90 minutes for Nigeria in their 4-0 victory over Mozambique on Monday. That result secured the Super Eagles' place in the tournament quarter-finals.
Osayi-Samuel has already been absent for five Championship matches while representing his country in Morocco. Nigeria topped their group with wins against Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda, showcasing the form that has prolonged his stay at the tournament.
Potential Impact on Crucial Championship Fixtures
The situation could worsen for Birmingham City if Nigeria continues its successful run. Should the team reach the AFCON final on Sunday, January 18, Osayi-Samuel would almost certainly miss two further league games.
He would not return in time for the trip to Swansea City on January 17, and the following Tuesday's match at Sheffield Wednesday on January 20 would also likely come too soon for him to feature.
Davies's Defensive Dilemma Continues
The right-back position has become a problematic area for Davies this season. Osayi-Samuel's consistent form and AFCON exertions, combined with Ethan Laird's long-term hamstring injury, have left the manager short of options.
In their absence, midfielder Tomoki Iwata has been deployed in the defensive role for the last three months. Alfons Sampsted has acted as the deputy since Osayi-Samuel departed for the international tournament.
Nigeria's quarter-final match against either Algeria or DR Congo takes place in Marrakech on Saturday, coinciding with Birmingham's cup fixture at St Andrew's.
