Eric Chelle has received a timely boost after Hamburg confirmed that Philip Otele is fully fit following a recent illness.
The Nigerian forward, currently on loan from FC Basel, has been cleared for selection ahead of Hamburg’s Bundesliga clash with Borussia Dortmund.
Timely return for international duty
Otele’s recovery comes at a critical time, having recently earned his first call-up to the Nigeria national team.
The 26-year-old has been included in the 23-man squad for upcoming international friendlies against Iran and Jordan.
The fixtures, scheduled to take place in Turkey, present a strategic opportunity for Chelle to assess new additions within the squad setup.
For Otele, the games represent a potential debut at senior international level, positioning him to stake a claim for a more permanent role.
Dual focus for club and country
From a performance standpoint, Hamburg will look to leverage Otele’s return as they prepare for a demanding fixture against Dortmund.
At the same time, the Super Eagles coaching crew will be monitoring his condition closely as they integrate him into preparations for the March internationals.