Super Eagles forward Umar Sadiq could see his game time at Real Sociedad reduced further following Mikel Oyarzabal’s blossoming form after his injury return.

Sadiq joined the Spanish side from Almeria in the summer of 2022 but was hampered by a serious injury that limited him to just two La Liga appearances last season.

Having returned to full fitness for the current campaign, the striker has been in and out of Real Sociedad’s starting line-up despite copping 35 appearances thus far.

The majority of those appearances, though, have come off the bench, with the 27-year-old struggling to command a starting spot in the team.

Super Eagles' Umar Sadiq set for extended bench spell

Sadiq’s spell on the bench could now get worse, with the emergence of Oyarzabal giving manager Imanol Barrenetxea another option up front.

Barrenetxea has been unconvinced by Sadiq’s performances and the striker’s return of just three goals this season hasn’t helped his case much.

According to Elgolddigital, Real Sociedad were planning to venture into the market for a new striker in the summer.

This was a vote of no confidence in Sadiq, whose one-and-a-half-year stay with the Spanish club has so far not gone according to plan despite joining for a fee in the region of €20 million.

Barrenetxea has favoured Oyarzabal as his starting striker in recent weeks and that could only spell doom for Umar’s chances of getting back into the starting line-up.

Real Sociedad consider Oyarzabal as attacking solution

Like Sadiq, Oyarzabal didn’t have a good start to the season and was blighted by injuries. However, the 26-year-old has been on a good run of form since regaining full fitness.

Despite being a winger, the Spain international has also been preferred in the number 9 role over Sadiq, who is a natural striker.

Elgolddigital reports that Oyarzabal’s excellence in the striking role has forced Real Sociedad’s hierarchy to halt plans of bringing in a new striker, as they consider him as the solution to their attacking problems.

Oyarzabal has 15 goal contributions (13 goals and two assists) in all competitions this season for Real Sociedad.