Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel has been ruled out of Chelsea’s UEFA Champions League round of 16 encounter against Paris Saint Germain (PSG) on Tuesday night, as he is yet to recover from a knee injury.

The 27-year-old Super Eagles player has not yet completed his rehabilitation after picking up a knee injury during his London club’s match against Aston Villa a week and a half ago, according to a statement from Chelsea’s official website.

The Blues coach Jose Mourinho picked a squad of 22 players who have travelled to Paris for the UCL knockout game, and although Mikel has not played as significant a starting role for his club during the past season compared with previous campaigns, he has still played a part when emerging from the bench.

He is expected be available for selection in upcoming games from this coming weekend, assuming his rehabilitation continues positively, and he will then be able to take on the French side from the capital in the return leg on March 11.

Mikel has played 21 games in all competitions for Chelsea this season, with only two of those coming in Champions League action.

He was not involved in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Equatorial Guinea, as Nigeria did not qualify for the competition, despite the fact that they were defending champions from the 2013 edition.