Nigerian midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s promising start to life in Serie A encountered a setback on Sunday.

The midfielder limped out of Lazio’s 1-0 defeat to Roma in the derby della Capitale, adding more injury woes to Eric Chelle’s team.

After just 13 minutes, the 24-year-old, who had started all four of Lazio's league games this season, collapsed on the field and gestured to the bench.

Maurizio Sarri substituted in Reda Belahyane, but his midfield was already uneasy after the early move when Nicolò Rovella hobbled off later in the half.

Dele-Bashiru’s injury

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Sarri acknowledged that his team is overworked due to the bans and injuries before Monday's trip to Genoa.

Sarri said, “The repercussions are material, not mental. On Sunday against Genoa, we only have one midfielder available [Cataldi]. Losing a derby hurts me. 

“You turn around and glance at the stands, the Curva, and you realise you’ve let the fans down. I hope it hurts the players, too.”

Dele-Bashiru's performances during the previous international window, when the midfielder assisted Calvin Bassey in equalising in the 1-1 draw with South Africa, had impressed Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle. 

Ahead of the pivotal World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and the Benin Republic in October, Chelle will be hoping for a speedy recovery.

The absence of Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina, who had surgery for an injury sustained against Rwanda, is already a burden for the Mali strategist.