Ajax manager dismisses Calvin Bassey injury scare

Alfred Schreuder, manager of Ajax Amsterdam, has put to rest fears that Nigeria international Calvin Bassey will be out for some time after being substituted in the closing minutes of his team’s 5-0 rout of SC Heerenveen on Saturday.

The former Rangers defender was taken off the field with just six minutes remaining in the game due to knee discomfort, forcing his team to finish the game with 10 men after exhausting all of their substations.

Since joining from Rangers, the 23-year-old has been a regular for the Eredivisie defending champions, helping them keep five consecutive clean sheets.

The versatile defender was also crucial as his team defeated Heerenveen 5-0, with Ghana international Mohammed Kudus scoring twice and Davy Klaassen, Kenneth Taylor, and Brian Brobbey also scoring.

Following Calvin Bassey’s early exit from the field, there has been concern that the Nigerian will miss the UEFA Champions League match against Liverpool at Anfield.

“We were able to switch well. Maybe we switch the last player a little too early, but I thought we could do that.”

“Fortunately, Calvin Bassey is not so bad. It was a kick in the calf, so that’s not too bad.”

Schreuder added at the post-match press conference: “He (Bassey, ed.) said it’s no problem.’’

Ajax, the Dutch champions will on Tuesday take on a Liverpool side, who are desperate for a win after losing 4-1 away to Napoli in their opening Group A match in Naples