Super Eagles striker Umar Sadiq has missed Valencia’s pre-season tour of England after sustaining a hamstring injury, with the Spanish club opting not to risk the Nigerian ahead of the new La Liga season.
The 29-year-old suffered the injury during Valencia’s pre-season friendly against Castellón, where medical tests later revealed a minor muscle tear.
As a result, head coach Carlos Corberán left Sadiq in Spain to continue his recovery while the rest of the squad travelled to England.
Valencia prioritise striker’s recovery
Rather than joining his teammates, Sadiq has remained at Valencia’s Paterna training complex, where he is undergoing rehabilitation under the supervision of the club’s medical staff.
The injury is not considered serious, with reports indicating the former Almería forward could return to full training within 10 days if his recovery progresses as expected.
That timeline would make Sadiq available for Valencia’s opening La Liga fixture against Celta Vigo, easing concerns that the setback could affect the start of his domestic campaign.
While Sadiq continues his rehabilitation, Valencia have continued their preparations in England, drawing 1-1 with Stoke City before returning to Spain for the annual Trofeu Taronja, where they will host Newcastle United at the Mestalla.
Super Eagles future remains uncertain
Away from club football, Sadiq’s international future remains unclear after he admitted he is considering retiring from the Super Eagles following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The striker has not featured for Nigeria since November 2024 despite earning a call-up for the 2025 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, where he remained an unused substitute.
He has also been omitted from Eric Chelle’s squads for the Unity Cup and subsequent international friendlies.
Speaking to Radio France Internationale Hausa, Sadiq explained that he is evaluating his long-term career plans before making a final decision on his international future after the new season begins.
The forward, however, dismissed suggestions of any disagreement with Chelle or his coaching staff, insisting his absence is likely due to the competition for places and the manager’s tactical preferences.