The possible reason Bayer Leverkusen coach named 16yo Nigerian forward in squad to face West Ham 

German-born Nigerian forward Ken Izekor will surely be involved in some capacity on Thursday evening when newly crowned Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen take on West Ham United in a Europa League quarterfinal clash at the London Stadium.

Izekor was among the twenty-two Bayer Leverkusen players that traveled to the English capital on Wednesday. 

At the pre-match press conference,  a journalist questioned Bayer coach Xabi Alonso about the absence of Real Betis loanee Borja Iglesias from the traveling squad to London and he also observed that Izekor had made the trip. .

Alonso revealed that Borja Iglesias did not travel with the squad because he is being assessed after suffering a minor injury. 

Iglesias was not in the Bayer Leverkusen squad for the title-winning game against Werder Bremen last weekend and will also miss the trip to Borussia Dortmund on Sunday, April 21. 

Czech Republic center forward Adam Hložek did not accompany the team to London due to an ankle injury. 

Izekor has risen in the pecking order of attack-minded players due to the unavailability of Borja Iglesias and Adam Hložek.

The 16-year-old, the youngest Nigerian player in history to feature in the Europa League, has registered thirteen goal involvements (9 goals, 4 assists) from twenty-three appearances for the Bayer Leverkusen teams in the ongoing season. 

Izekor turned out for the youth team of Alemannia Aachen before he was poached by Bayer Leverkusen in 2018.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: bayer04.de

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