Super Eagles and Wolves goalkeeper Carl Ikeme is to begin chemotherapy after being diagnosed with acute leukaemia, the Championship club said Thursday.
The club informed that the 31-year-old goaltender returned “abnormal blood tests” during pre-season testing. Further checks, according to the club, confirmed the diagnosis.
Ikeme has been out of action since March 2017. He missed Nigeria’s game against South Africa in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in June, and was looking forward to rejoining the side for their back-to-back World Cup qualifiers against African champions Cameroon.
“It would be an understatement to say that everyone at Wolves has been shocked and saddened to hear the news of Carl’s diagnosis,” said Wolves managing director Laurie Dalrymple.
“That relates to both players and staff as Carl has been at the club for a very long time and remains such an integral personality within the group.
“At the same time, we all know what a fighter and a competitor Carl is, and I have no doubt that he will take all of those attributes into this battle.
“Similarly, its goes without saying that Carl and his family will receive the full love and support that we at Wolves can provide – we are all with him every single step of the way towards a full recovery.”