Top Nigerian striker given new protective mask after old mask restricted his vision

• Victor Osimhen was injured back in November and was ruled out of action for three months after a surgery
• He suffered a fractured eye socket and cheekbone after a head collision with Inter’s Milan Skriniar.
• Osimhen's found his old mask irritating and restrictive to his vision

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen will wear a new, lighter protective mask after suffering from multiple facial fractures.

The Napoli forward was involved in a nasty head clash with Inter defender Milan Skriniar in late November, which left him with shocking injuries.

The 23-year-old required 18 metal screws and six plaques to stabilise the facial fractures to his cheekbone and orbital bone.

Osimhen returned to action last week after being on the sidelines for two months, wearing a protective mask, but found it irritating and restrictive to his vision.

Osimhen went for a check-up with surgeon Gianpaolo Tartaro, who performed the original operation, and a lighter mask was created.

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“We have already begun to reduce the protective mask, which he will wear from this weekend’s game with Venezia,” Tartaro told Radio Kiss Kiss.

“The mask is certainly causing him some difficulties, but it’s the only thing allowing him to play. He will certainly wear it until the end of February, then after more tests we’ll decide if he can take it off or continue to wear it in March.

“Osimhen no longer has scarring or swelling, his biological response to the fractures is better than expected. Every time, he manages to recover quicker than we thought.”

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Earlier, SportsBrief reported that Osimhen has recuperated and returned to action for his Italian side Napoli helping the Neapolitans to a win on Monday night.

The 23-year-old expressed delight having returned to action for the club coming on in the 71st minute at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.

After being on the sidelines for two months, Osimhen who wore a mask to shield his cheeks returned to action replacing Dries Mertens.