Bayer Leverkusen head coach Carles Martínez has backed Super Eagles winger Nathan Tella to play an important role for the German club after returning from another spell on the sidelines, Footynaija.com reports.
Tella recently made his return to action in Leverkusen’s 6-0 friendly victory over Fortuna Koln, playing 45 minutes and finding the back of the net as he stepped up his recovery.
The Nigerian has endured another frustrating period with injuries this season, missing five of Leverkusen’s first six competitive matches after suffering a muscular problem.
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Martínez was encouraged by Tella’s performance and believes the runout will help the 27-year-old regain his rhythm ahead of the club’s return to Bundesliga action.
“Nathan is important for us. He understands this club very well and knows what we want and need,” Martínez told Bild.
“He is a clever player and a good guy in the locker room. The 45 minutes against Fortuna Köln will help him to be ready for the next games.”
The manager’s comments will come as a boost to Tella, who has endured a series of injury setbacks since the start of last season and is desperate to put those problems behind him.
The former Southampton and Burnley winger recently admitted that he was “very angry and frustrated” by his recurring injuries and is hoping his latest comeback will be his last.
Tella’s fitness problems have also affected his chances with the Super Eagles, with the winger last featuring for Nigeria during the 2025 Unity Cup, where he provided an assist in the final against Jamaica.
The Leverkusen star has managed just two senior appearances for Nigeria since making his debut in 2023, with injuries contributing to his absence from several international windows under Eric Chelle.
This latest return now gives Tella an opportunity to build some consistency at club level and put himself back in the conversation for the Super Eagles.
Tella will hope to remain fit and make the most of his opportunities for Leverkusen, with the Nigerian also looking to do enough to force his way back into Chelle’s plans ahead of the next phase of AFCON 2027 qualifying fixtures in November.
