Moses Simon, Nigerian winger, is placed for a spell on the sideline for several months after suffering from ankle fracture during the Super Eagles 2-0 defeat against Mali in a friendly match at the Stade de Marrakech, Morocco, on Tuesday night.

The 29- year old player, was carried out on a strecher and taken to the hospital in the 33rd minute of the game after a collision with Mali goalkeeper Mamadou Samassa, and was replaced by Rangers forward Cyril Dessers.

The winger’s injury was joined by the disappointing result with interim coach Finidi George suggesting it was an ankle injury but the French club has now confirmed that, the extent of the injury has been proven  damaging for the player.

“Substituted shortly after the half-hour mark during the friendly match between Mali and Nigeria, Moses Simon was seriously injured with the Super Eagles,” Nantes said via their website.

“Subsequent examinations confirmed a fracture of the fibula. His unavailability is unfortunately estimated at several months.

“FC Nantes is already keen to provide its full support to its attacker and wishes him a speedy recovery.”

Fibula fracture is described as a break in the fibula bone which can be caused by a forceful impact, such as landing after a high jump or any impact to the outer aspect of the leg.

However, the League 1 club did not disclose the exact time Simon will spend on the treatment table, treating the injury can take at least six weeks, depending on the extent, meaning he will be out of action in their run in to the end of the season with just eight games remaining as the Canaries hope to escape relegation.

If Simeon is yet to recover after several months he might miss out for the rest of the season and he could also miss Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin in June.

In the League 1, he has scored three goals and provided six assists.