Reuben Gabriel was yesterday named in the Nigeria squad ahead of a World Cup play-off second leg in Ethiopia and friendly against Italy, despite the midfielder having still to make a competitive appearance for Kilmarnock.
Gabriel joined the Rugby Park side in April but a groin injury has since kept him on the sidelines.
The midfielder announced in August that he had been cleared to return and Stephen Keshi, the Nigeria manager, has subsequently named him in a squad which also includes Celtic's Efe Ambrose. Gabriel has represented his country on eight previous occasions and his manager has no concerns about the 23-year-old's ability to step back in for his country when Nigeria face Ethiopia a week on Saturday, and then Italy four days later in London.
"We have people like Reuben Gabriel, so why not we will bring him in? He is a Nigerian and he wants to play and it's a blessing for me and for the team," said Keshi.
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