Nigerians expecting to see Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel file out among the Super Eagles in Wednesday’s international friendly against Sierra Leone are in for a shocker.

Chelsea medical staff have told coach, Samson Siasia that their jewel was still too fragile to run, train or play on artificial turf. This is because artificial turf which is usually harder than natural turf could hurt his recuperating knee. Mike was recently operated on.

Although the English champions have agreed to release the player to Nigeria, he is only expected to be in camp, familiarise with the players and team officials.

“John Mikel Obi is not expected to play any part in Wednesday’s friendly against Sierra Leone,” a top member of the technical crew hinted. The official also said that there were doubts on Wigan’s Victor Moses.

Mikel suffered medial ligament damage when he was caught by Robin van Persie in a nasty late challenge during Chelsea’s defeat to Arsenal in December.

The Nigerian has only just returned to first team football after undergoing surgery and spending over four weeks on the sidelines “They told the coach that if he plays on artificial turf now, it could cause a swelling in the knee where he had surgery,” an official said. “But he is still expected to be in camp and meet up with the rest of the squad.”

That, however, was not the case with Wigan’s Moses, who was said to have developed cold feet. “His advisers called to say that maybe this is not the right time for him yet, as it would be better for him to focus now is to establish himself at club level.”