Ghana forward Iñaki Williams is likely to miss the final rounds of AFCON qualifiers against Angola and Niger after sustaining a hamstring injury.
The 30-year-old was included in the Black Stars’ 25-man squad for the international break, but he now faces a race against time to recover.
Athletic Bilbao released a statement confirming his injury status, ruling him out of the weekend’s La Liga game against Real Valladolid.
“Athletic Club forward Iñaki Williams will miss Sunday’s LaLiga clash with Real Valladolid after straining his left hamstring muscles,” the club said.
Iñaki is expected to undergo a scan on Monday to determine the extent of his injury – the same day Ghana opens camp for the AFCON qualifiers.
The Ghana Football Association has yet to release an official statement on the forward’s status or whether a replacement will be named if he is unavailable.
Iñaki has been in good form this season, scoring five goals and providing four assists for Bilbao in all competitions.
Ghana currently sit third in Group F of the AFCON qualifiers, five points behind second-place Sudan, after going winless in four matches.
To keep their qualification hopes alive, the Black Stars must secure six points and hope that Sudan suffer defeats in both of their remaining games.
Otto Addo’s side face Angola on November 15 in Luanda before a match against Niger at the Accra Sports Stadium three days later.