Former Super Eagles striker Obafemi Martins has been dealt a big blow after he was ruled out of action for between six and seven months.

As confirmed by his Chinese Super League (CSL) club Shanghai Shenhua on Wednesday, the former Inter Milan and Newcastle United star suffered a torn hamstring during his side’s game against Kashima Antlers in the Asian Champions League on Tuesday and will miss the next six to seven months.

He was carried off midway through the first half of the continental club fixture which ended in a 2-2 draw.

Martins, 33, joined Shenhua at the start of the 2016 CSL season from Major League Soccer side Seattle Sounders and has been an integral member of the team.

He has been in impressive form this season and that was further highlighted when he scored a hat-trick for Shanghai Shenhua on Saturday in their 4-2 league win over Hebei China Fortune.

The injury blow has therefore ruled him out of contention for a recall to the Super Eagles fold ahead of the World Cup.