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Cape Town - Chelsea are reportedly upset that Victor Moses was forced to play for Nigeria while suffering with a hamstring complaint.
The 26-year-old played the full game the weekend before last when Nigeria beat Zambia 1-0 to book their place in the 2018 World Cup.
But it has emerged that he had been forced to play with a tight hamstring in that match, which appears to have contributed to his first half exit through injury during Chelsea's 2-1 Premier League defeat at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Moses is now expected to be out of action for at least a month.
According to a source 'close to the player' quoted by Nigeria publication Vanguard, the Premier League champions are less-than-pleased with Nigeria's handling of a player who has become key for the London club.
"Moses was supposed to be pulled out of the game against Zambia but the injuries which lead to two substitutions forced the coaches to leave him on for the entire duration of the game, which he played through the pain barrier," the source reportedly said.
"He complained of a tight hamstring during the half time break, but he had to manage it for the entire duration of the game. The rest he had after the game didn't bring the desire result, hence the re-occurrence of the injury on Saturday.
"Chelsea are understandably angry because they know how to manage him and if you can recall he was rested in the game against Manchester City with coach Antonio Conte saying he has played too many games.
"When people say Moses is not committed to the course of the national team, they don't know about his injury situation, last season he was always the man to be substituted, because they realise he needs to have enough rest for the next game", the source added.
