Kenneth
Omeruo has been declared unavailable to play at the 2016 Olympic Games
in Rio due to a groin problem, BBC Sport reports. The Nigerian
international defender, who is on a season-long loan at Turkish side
Kasimpasa
from Chelsea, has been told by the team doctor he needs time to recover.
"I
feel sad about it as it was another good opportunity for me to
represent my country," Omeruo told BBC Sport. "The doctor insists I need
rest to start next season without injury."
The 22-year-old was first called up by Nigeria in January 2013 and he went on to play
at that year's Africa Cup of Nations and Confederations Cup - and at the
2014 World Cup.
He admitted he was looking forward to playing at
the Games, especially after the Super Eagles' failure to qualify for the
2015 and 2017 African Cup of Nations.
"It is
disappointing and
frustrating to say the least. I'd be lying if I said I would not want to
be out there playing," he said. "But at the same time I need to be
fully fit to be at my best and I have no doubt that the squad will do
great in Brazil. I would also like to thank the coach (Samson Siasia)
for even considering me in the first place."
A
firm fixture in the Kasimpasa side, such has been Omeruo's impact that
the Turkish club are now exploring the option to buy him at the end of
his loan spell.
He joined Chelsea from Belgian side Standard Liege
in 2012 and developed on loan at ADO Den Haag in Netherlands in an
18-month spell from 2012 to 2013.
The
centre-back, who is yet to
make his competitive debut for Chelsea, then went on loan to
Championship side Middlesbrough in January 2014 and made 14 appearances.
He returned to Teesside again for the whole of 2014/15 season where he
made 22 appearances.
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