Incoming Rangers signing Nnamdi Ofoborh has opened up on his mysterious absence from the Wycombe side in the final few months of the season as he prepares to join the Light Blues for pre-season.
Ofoborh will join Steven Gerrard’s Scottish champions after his Bournemouth contract expires this month and spent the second half the season on loan at Wycombe.
The Nigerian’s last appearance for Gareth Ainsworth’s side came in March, playing 12 minutes of the 1-0 win over Preston and he hasn’t completed a full 90 minutes since the previous month.
With his move to Ibrox looming, an injury problem forced Ofoborh to make a big decision and withdraw from playing for the Chairboys in order to “ruin anything” and he remains confident he’ll be fit by the time the Rangers players report for pre-season.
“I was struggling with an injury when I got to Wycombe on loan last season,” the 21-year-old said [Daily Record].
“In the last few months it just got worse. It got to a point where I didn’t feel it was right for the coaches to put me in.
“It wouldn’t have been fair on me or the team. People didn’t know this because we didn’t speak about it publicly at the time.
“But I was struggling with the injury and that’s why I didn’t play.
“It was difficult to get my head around it. I could see on social media that Wycombe fans were wondering where I was.
“They didn’t know if it was down to me not playing well or not being able to be selected.
“But it was none of that. I just couldn’t do it. I was already at less than 100 per cent when I got there.
“During and after the first few games, I was nowhere near it.
“So we all thought it would be best to leave me out.
“I didn’t want to hurt myself or damage my chances before I even got up to Rangers.
“I didn’t want to risk anything. But at the same time I wanted to help Wycombe survive relegation from the Championship.
“I had to look at the bigger picture. I spoke to my family and the gaffer at Wycombe – and we decided that it would be better not to ruin anything or make it worse than it was.
“I’m confident that when I get to Rangers for pre-season I’ll be ready to go. I’m still on the mend but by the time I get there I hope to be where I need to be.”
Injuries will be a concern for Rangers
Nnamdi Ofoborh’s injury problems will be a concern for Rangers ahead of joining pre-season but hopefully having had a few months to rest will have done the trick.
If not, it is a difficult start for the versatile star and will immediately leave him behind the rest of his team-mates going into the season.
With Champions League qualifiers at the start of August, Rangers will be desperate for Ofoborh to be fit and ready to contribute.
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