Nigerian forward Sadiq Umar could be sidelined for as long as two months after picking up a hamstring problem during his time with Valencia.

The 29-year-old was forced off during training on Monday, just a day after playing the entirety of Valencia’s 3-1 loss to newly promoted Deportivo La Coruña, a match in which he found the net for his side’s lone goal.

Confirming the extent of the issue in a Tuesday statement, the club revealed that scans had identified damage to the striker’s right hamstring, sustained during the weekend fixture against Deportivo.

Valencia added that he would now undergo treatment and rehabilitation at their Sports City facility until he is cleared to return to full training.

The setback is a significant one for both Umar and head coach Carlos Corberán, given how central the striker had been to the team’s attack so far this season.

In his absence, the responsibility of leading the line is likely to fall on Arnaut Danjuma and Hugo Duro.

The timing is also unfortunate on the international front, as it may prevent Umar from featuring in Nigeria’s upcoming AFCON qualifying matches this month, though his unavailability is unlikely to drastically alter head coach Éric Chelle’s selection plans given the depth of attacking talent at his disposal, including Victor Osimhen and Tolu Arokodare among others.

Adding to the uncertainty around his international career, Umar recently hinted in an interview that walking away from the Super Eagles entirely is something he is now contemplating, having gone nearly two years without a call-up.