Shanghai Shenhua forward Obafemi Martins has been ruled out of action for six months after sustaining a hamstring injury.
Martins has spent the last two years at the Chinese Super League club, with a total of 31 goals being scored for the team during that period.
The 33-year-old's form meant that he still held faint hopes of earning a spot in Nigeria's squad for the World Cup, but those ambitions have now ended.
Martins had to be carried off after sustaining the injury during Shenhua's 2-2 draw with Kashima Antlers in the Asian Champions League.
With the Chinese Super League scheduled to finish in November, Martins faces a race against time to return before the end of the season.
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