UECL: Onuachu ruled out of Hearts clash as Trabzonspor coach gives return date

Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu will miss Trabzonspor’s UEFA Conference League encounter against Scottish Premiership side Heart of Midlothian on Thursday evening, with manager Thomas Reis confirming that the Nigerian striker is still recovering from injury.

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The towering forward picked up the injury during Trabzonspor’s 4-2 victory over KuPS last Thursday, leaving the pitch in the 10th minute after opening the scoring for the Turkish side.

Onuachu’s early withdrawal raised concerns about his fitness, and the former Southampton striker subsequently missed Trabzonspor’s league meeting with Besiktas on Monday.

Providing an update on the injured players ahead of Thursday’s European fixture, Reis indicated that Onuachu could return to action as early as Monday, 26 October, when Trabzonspor take on Rizespor in their Matchday Nine fixture in the Turkish Super Lig.

However, the German tactician suggested the Nigerian international could also be forced to wait until Sunday, 1st November, when Trabzonspor face Gaziantep FK, if he doesn’t recover in time for the Rizespor encounter.

“Mustafa’s return to the field tomorrow will be a little early. If Onuachu cannot be with us in the Rizespor match, he will be with us in the next match,” Reis stated, according to Ajansspor.

The Trabzonspor manager also disclosed that a final decision on his starting line-up for the Hearts clash would be made after the team’s training session on Wednesday.

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“We will have a training session after the press conference. We will make the starting eleven decision after this training session,” he added.

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Onuachu’s absence is a setback for Trabzonspor as they prepare for a demanding European test, particularly given the Nigerian striker’s ability to provide a physical presence and a goal threat in the final third.

Since the start of the season, the FC Ebedei product has made 11 appearances in all competitions, starting eight and scoring three goals.

Trabzonspor will now have to cope without their Nigerian frontman against Hearts, while the club hopes he recovers in time to return to domestic action and avoid a longer spell on the sidelines.