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Super Eagles forward Umar Sadiq has encountered another major hurdle in his attempt to rediscover his best form at Real Sociedad, with the striker set to miss around a month due to a hamstring injury.
The 27-year-old recently returned from international duty with Nigeria, where he featured briefly in the Super Eagles’ 2-1 loss to Rwanda in the final AFCON qualifier.
Back in Spain, Sadiq was preparing for Sociedad’s Copa del Rey clash against lower-division side Jove Español when misfortune struck.
During a training session on Wednesday, Sadiq sustained the injury, effectively ruling him out of action for the foreseeable future.
This adds to a string of injury troubles that have plagued the striker since his €20 million transfer from AlmerÃa to Real Sociedad in the 2022/23 season.
Sadiq’s career at Sociedad got off to a promising start, but it was derailed by a devastating anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury just three games into his debut campaign.
The long road to recovery saw him return last season, but he struggled to find his rhythm, leading to reduced game time and frequent appearances off the bench.
This season has offered little improvement. In eight appearances, Sadiq has managed just one assist, further fueling concerns about his form and fitness.
Despite his struggles, he earned a surprise invitation to Nigeria’s recent international fixtures under coach Augustine Eguavoen.
Real Sociedad has yet to confirm the full extent of his latest injury, but typical hamstring issues suggest a recovery period of four to six weeks.
As Sadiq faces another spell on the sidelines, questions loom over whether he can recapture the form that once made him one of La Liga’s most exciting attacking prospects.
