Injury: Captain Mikel Obi to miss Guangzhou Evergrande clash

The Nigeria international picked up an abdominal strain in last week’s victory over Chongqing Lifan, and no timetable has been given for his return

Tianjin Teda are set to be without John Obi Mikel again when they host Guangzhou Evergrande in the Chinese Super League on Sunday.

Mikel has already missed Teda’s match against Guizhou Hengfeng Zhicheng since suffering an abdominal strain in their 2-0 win against Chongqing Lifan – where he got his first league goal for the club.

According to reports from club, the midfielder went through a series of tests - including nuclear magnetic resonance, but the cause of injury which gives him discomfort could not be detected.

The 29-year-old will not recover in time to take on South China Tiger having missed club's trainings this week, meaning boss Jaime Pacheco will be without his influential skipper at Teda Football Stadium.

Brown Ideye who joined from Olympiacos is expected to feature in the crunch encounter and also end his barren run.

Tianjin Teda are in need of three points as they attempt to close the five-point gap to leaders Guangzhou R&F F.C, but they face a rising Evergrande who are fifth on the log with eight points.