Zaidu Sanusi will be expected to start for FC Porto in today’s league game at Tondela following injury to his direct rival Wendell.
Injury forced out Wendell in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League win over AC Milan and Zaidu played the second half in place of the Brazilian.
Porto coach Sergio Conceicao has backed Zaidu to be mentally strong to take up his chance after he lost his place and looked like quitting the Portuguese giants in the summer.
The leftback’s lack of game time cost him a Super Eagles call-up for this month’s World Cup qualifiers against Central African Republic.