Brown, who plays for Sochaux in France, was one of the unlucky seven players to be dropped from the Super Eagles squad earlier this week when coach Lars Lagerback trimmed his list to 23.

However, there are conflicting reports regarding the injury suffered by Mikel, with media officer Idah Peterside saying it was an ankle injury rather than the knee problem team co-ordinator, Emmanuel Attah, had earlier blamed.

"Mikel suffered a bruise to his ankle and a scan showed that he will not recover on time," Peterside told www.kickoffnigeria.com.

"The coach has now decided to call up Brown Ideye to replace him."

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