Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson will return to England in the coming days after Senegal were knocked out of the African Cup of Nations by hosts Ivory Coast on Monday night.
The African champions’ hopes of retaining their title were ended courtesy of a penalty shoot-out defeat following a 1-1 draw. Senegal had led the game through Habib Diallo’s fourth-minute goal but Franck Kessie sent the contest to extra time in the 86th minute.
Neither team could find a winner in the additional half hour before Ivory Coast ran out 5-4 winners in the shoot-out. Nottingham Forest defender Moussa Niakhate missed the deciding penalty when his spot-kick hit the post.
Jackson will now return to Chelsea to bolster Mauricio Pochettino’s attacking line after missing their last five games. His last appearance came in the 3-2 win over Luton Town at the end of December.
The striker failed to start a single game for Aliou Cisse’s side throughout the tournament with Al-Shabab’s Diallo preferred in the centre-forward position. Jackson managed only 43 minutes from three group games before coming in in the 67th minute against Ivory Coast.
The Liverpool game on Wednesday is likely to come too soon for the former Villarreal man but Sunday’s Premier League clash with Wolves could be the first game back.
Jackson’s return will be a huge boost for Pochettino and Chelsea. The summer signing has scored eight goals in 23 games for the Blues this season, offering a dynamic option in the forward line.
Christopher Nkunku’s hip injury has left Armando Broja as Chelsea’s only natural striker. The Albanian could still leave the club before Thursday’s deadline, meaning Jackson’s return is much-needed.
