Victor Anichebe was this week another to be culled from his country’s final World Cup squad after being left out of Nigeria’s final 23-man party.

But there were mixed messages yesterday over the reason for the striker’s exclusion from Swedish manager Lars Lagerback’s squad.

Reports from Nigeria suggested Anichebe was omitted because of a fractured shin suffered in last week’s warm-up friendly against Saudi Arabia.

However, Everton sought to clarify the situation by stating the injury was nothing more serious than a bruised shin.

Taiwo Ogunjobi, chairman of Nigeria’s technical committee, said earlier: “He was substituted in the game against Saudi Arabia because of injury.

“When he went for a scan in Liverpool, it revealed a cracked shin which would take time to heal, and the coach had no option but to drop him.”

Joseph Yobo and Yakubu have already been confirmed in the Nigeria squad, meaning Everton will have six players at the World Cup finals – the highest total in the club’s history – with John Heitinga (Holland), Tim Cahill (Australia), Tim Howard (United States) and Steven Pienaar (South Africa) also travelling.

Goalkeeper Jan Mucha, who will arrive at Goodison on a free transfer in the summer, will also participate for Slovakia.