Fulham head coach Marco Silva has praised Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey as the Cottagers prepare to face Manchester United at Craven Cottage on Sunday.
Bassey scored the last time both teams met and could once again play an important role for Fulham, with Antonee Robinson and Ryan Sessegnon both battling injuries.
Robinson has been out since May after surgery, while Sessegnon picked up a knock in a recent friendly against Eintracht Frankfurt. Their absence means Bassey, who impressed at left-back in the opening game against Brighton, is likely to start in the same role this weekend.
Speaking to Fulham’s official website, Silva said:
“We have to wait and see. Robinson is coming back from surgery and training with the team, but we need to be careful not to rush him. Sessegnon felt something in the last friendly, so we will decide after the final training session. They are both important, but we don’t want to risk losing them for longer.”
The Portuguese coach, however, praised Bassey’s display against Brighton.
“Calvin did really well, a great performance at left-back. We are more than covered in that position because even Jorge Cuenca can play there. Of course, Robinson and Sessegnon give us more attacking options, but Calvin proved he can do the job.”
Bassey’s versatility is also seen as a boost for the Super Eagles, with Nigeria still searching for a consistent first-choice left-back in recent years.