Veteran Super Eagles forward, Obafemi Martins has been ruled out of action for between six and seven months with a career-threatening torn hamstring.

Martins, popularly known as ‘Obagoal’ sustained the injury against Kashima Antlers in the Asian Champions League on Tuesday.

The 33-year-old forward was carried off midway through the first half of the continental club fixture which they drew 2-2.

The former Newcastle United and FC Ebedei forward joined Shenhua at the start of the 2016 CSL season from MLS side, Seattle Sounders.

Martins scored his first career hat-trick for Shanghai Shenhua on Saturday in their 4-2 league win over Hebei China Fortune.

The injury ends any faint hopes Martins may have had of making Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr’s squad for this year’s World Cup in Russia.

Shanghai Shenhua are currently sixth in the CSL standings after four games.