Cyriel Dessers is facing a race against time to be fit for Nigeria's crucial World Cup qualifiers next month, with an ongoing injury making his inclusion highly unlikely.

The forward was initially selected for the Super Eagles' October qualifying matches against Lesotho and Benin. 

However, he was forced to withdraw from the squad after failing to shake off an ankle injury he sustained.

Dessers picked up the knock during Panathinaikos' Europa League fixture against Young Boys. 

Subsequent medical evaluations have indicated that the injury is more severe than first thought, potentially sidelining him for at least a month.

This recovery timeline effectively rules him out of Nigeria's key playoff match against Gabon in November.

The forward recently became a regular in the Super Eagles team and was called to the team for the September qualifiers.

He played two games in the World Cup qualifiers and scored one goal, which came against South Africa.

While there is a slim chance he could return for his club in a derby against PAOK in November, just four days before the Super Eagles' game, his lack of match fitness would make his selection a significant gamble for national team coach Eric Chelle.