Udinese head coach Kosta Runjaic has confirmed that Nigerian international Maduka Okoye is fit and available for selection ahead of Monday’s Serie A encounter against Como, bringing relief to the club after recent injury concerns.
Okoye had been a major doubt for the fixture after suffering a thigh problem while on international duty with Nigeria during the recent break. The 26-year-old goalkeeper featured in the Super Eagles’ 2-1 victory over Iran, where he delivered a solid performance, but was subsequently released from the squad before their 2-2 draw against Jordan after sustaining the injury in training.
His absence from the second friendly initially raised fears that he could miss club action upon his return to Italy. However, Udinese’s medical team have since monitored his recovery closely, and the latest update suggests the goalkeeper has responded well to treatment and is back to full fitness.
Providing an update during his pre-match briefing, Runjaic confirmed that Okoye has resumed full training and is now in contention to feature against Como.
The Udinese manager also revealed that the squad has been significantly strengthened by the return of players from international assignments, allowing the team to train together as a complete unit for the first time since the break.
“Except for Zemura, Buksa and Zanoli, everyone is available. Today we finally trained with the full squad after the international break,” Runjaic stated.
Okoye’s return is particularly important for Udinese given his growing influence in the team this season. The former Watford goalkeeper has established himself as a dependable option between the posts, contributing with key saves and consistent performances that have helped stabilise the side defensively.
His availability also gives Runjaic more tactical flexibility heading into the clash, as Udinese look to maintain their competitive edge in the league. With several fixtures coming in quick succession, having first-choice players fit and ready is expected to play a crucial role in the team’s performance.
Beyond Okoye, the near full fitness of the squad signals a timely boost for Udinese as they prepare for a potentially tricky encounter against Como. The return of multiple players from injury and international duty enhances squad depth and competition for places, something the coaching staff will be keen to utilise.
For Okoye, the focus will now be on maintaining his fitness and building on his recent form, both at club level and with the national team. Having quickly overcome the injury setback, the goalkeeper will be eager to reclaim his spot and continue his momentum as the season progresses.
As Udinese gear up for the match, the confirmation of Okoye’s fitness serves as a major positive, reinforcing confidence within the squad ahead of Monday’s showdown.
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