Haruna, Aluko, Reuben set for Eagles return

Stephen Keshi

Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi may be set to recall  Dynamo Kiev midfielder Lukman Haruna, Kilmarnock’s Gabriel Reuben and Hull City’s  Sone Aluko.

  The players are expected to return ahead of next month’s friendly against Italy in London, according to MTNFootball.com on Wednesday.

 “In every department of the Eagles, we need competition and we need players who can bring that competition. If Lukman is doing so well, we will bring him in,” MTNFootball.com quoted Keshi  as saying.

“We have people like (Gabriel) Rueben and Sone Aluko, who are doing well too, we will bring all of them in. They are  Nigerians and they want to play and it’s a blessing for me and for the team.”

Lukman, who has represented Nigeria at U17, U20 and Olympic team levels, has been on fine form this season, averaging a-goal-a-game for his Ukrainian club this season. His teammate  Brown Ideye has already asked for his recall.

He last featured for Nigeria at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Defensive midfielder Reuben has battled with a long-term groin injury after he established himself in the the Eagles under Keshi.

He is believed to be close to full fitness after his move to the Scottish club.

Hull City forward Aluko was called up by Keshi at the start of his tenure as coach two years ago, but he has yet to enjoy regular invitations ever since.

Meanwhile, Obinna Nsofor has promised that  Nigeria will qualify for the 2014 World Cup.

Nigeria will host Ethiopia on November 16 in Calabar after they took a 2-1 advantage from Addis Ababa on Sunday.

“We are not under any pressure after our win in Ethiopia. They will be the ones under pressure. We will play good football and score loads of goals to qualify for the World Cup,” Nsofor said.

The Lokomotiv Moscow forward admitted the Eagles suffered from the effects of the high altitude, especially in the first half.