Super Eagles and Rangers defender, Leon Balogun has confirmed he suffered a cheekbone fracture during his side’s 2-0 loss to Athletic Bilbao in the UEFA Europa League quarter-final on Thursday night.
Balogun was forced off in the 50th minute after a head-on collision with teammate John Souttar at the San Mamés.
He was replaced by Hamza Igamane, and Balogun has since revealed the full extent of the injury.
“I’ve fractured my cheekbone again I think this is the fourth time in my career,” he told BBC Sport. “I knew it straight away, and I knew that I had to come off with it.
“I asked the doc if there’s any chance for me to stay on, but then the pain normally kicks, and then it’s not really nice.”
The 35-year-old now faces a spell on the sidelines and may require minor surgery.
“We’ll see how severe, but probably we’ll need a small surgery or something, and then a few days rest, and then I can go back on with the mask,” he said.
Reflecting on the match itself, Balogun admitted Rangers were second best.
“We all came here with a lot more expectations, probably to ourselves, and we did not really live up to it.
“I know this is not what the supporters and the people back home want to hear, but sometimes you have to hold your hands up, and I think Bilbao showed that they’re the better team.”
With their UEL over for them, Rangers will turn their focus to the Premiership, where they sit second, trailing Celtic by a daunting 15-point margin.
Balogun’s injury presents a fresh setback for Rangers manager Barry Ferguson as the team looks to finish the domestic season on a strong note.
