Italian Serie A club Empoli have confirmed defender Tyrone Ebuehi will spend time on the sidelines due to injury ruling him out of Nigeria’s upcoming friendlies against the Black Stars of Ghana and Eagles of Mali.

The versatile full-back sustained the injury in Empoli’s 1-0 home defeat to Bologna last Friday.

The 28-year-old defender started the game on the bench and took the place of Emmanuel Gyasi in 66 minutes.

“Empoli Football Club announces that the instrumental tests to which the player Tyronne Ebuehi, who came off during Friday’s match against Bologna, underwent, highlighted the partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament of the right knee,” reads a statement on the club’s official website.

“The footballer, after having undergone an initial specialist evaluation to establish the recovery path, began the appropriate treatments with the Azzurri healthcare staff.”

Ebuehi has made 15 league appearances for Empoli this season.