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Brighton & Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton hopes Nigeria defender Leon Balogun gets the chance to play for his country during the international break, reports Completesports.com.
Balogun, 30, joined the Seagulls last summer after running out his contract with German club FSV Mainz.
The centre-back 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 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.
By Adeboye Amosu
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COMMENTS
rubbish talk….why dint he play him back at d club…..and he is here asking rohr to play balogun
The few times Leon played for Brighton this season, he acquitted himself well, even scored a spectacular scissors kick goal. Obviously, Leon is capable. I don’t know what more he has to do to gain Hughton’s confidence. Maybe if Leon can use his head to scatter Big Ben to pieces, that will finally grab Hughton’s attention.
This man dey craze…
Leon is a Top top defender. He should start thinking about moving to Italian league, where defending is more brain( tactical) than brawn(robotic)as we have in the English football. The manager Hugeton knows Leon is top quality but being about the only black manager in the premiership, he is scared of losing his job bcos the two other defenders are English. The rest is left for anyone to reason out.