Bayer Leverkusen manager Carles Martinez has explained the decision to leave Nigeria striker Victor Boniface out of the club’s UEFA Europa League squad ahead of Saturday’s Bundesliga clash with Union Berlin.Boniface was omitted from the continental squad despite an impressive pre-season, having endured a difficult loan spell at Werder Bremen last term.Martinez told Kicker that the striker was still not fully fit when the squad was decided, though his recovery had since improved.“Two months ago, when we started our preparations, this question was not to be expected. He wasn’t ready, he was in pain, his knee wasn’t doing so well, and physically he was very far behind,” Martinez said.“But the good thing is that his knee is responding better. There are still occasional minor issues, but it’s much, much better. Because such a talent deserves a better year for him. And not just this year, but throughout his career.”Related NewsOkoye really sweet, Cardi B says after third sightingWhy Ndah chose Al Shomooa SC over SundownsNnadi opts against surgery for speedy returnThe Leverkusen coach said he expected to face repeated questions about Boniface’s omission as the striker continues his recovery.“I hope you can ask me the reason for this decision every week, because Boni is getting better and better. That would be best for him and the club,” he said.Martinez added that he remains hopeful of having the Nigerian available in the coming months.“In many games, when we need a goal, Boni is on my mind. We will help him improve, and I hope that in the coming months or at the end of the season we can say: Boni is at 100 per cent.”Boniface will now continue working on his recovery as he aims to rediscover the form that made him a standout during his debut season at the BayArena. Boniface was omitted from the continental squad despite an impressive pre-season, having endured a difficult loan spell at Werder Bremen last term.Martinez told Kicker that the striker was still not fully fit when the squad was decided, though his recovery had since improved.“Two months ago, when we started our preparations, this question was not to be expected. He wasn’t ready, he was in pain, his knee wasn’t doing so well, and physically he was very far behind,” Martinez said.“But the good thing is that his knee is responding better. There are still occasional minor issues, but it’s much, much better. Because such a talent deserves a better year for him. And not just this year, but throughout his career.”Related NewsOkoye really sweet, Cardi B says after third sightingWhy Ndah chose Al Shomooa SC over SundownsNnadi opts against surgery for speedy returnThe Leverkusen coach said he expected to face repeated questions about Boniface’s omission as the striker continues his recovery.“I hope you can ask me the reason for this decision every week, because Boni is getting better and better. That would be best for him and the club,” he said.Martinez added that he remains hopeful of having the Nigerian available in the coming months.“In many games, when we need a goal, Boni is on my mind. We will help him improve, and I hope that in the coming months or at the end of the season we can say: Boni is at 100 per cent.”Boniface will now continue working on his recovery as he aims to rediscover the form that made him a standout during his debut season at the BayArena. Martinez told Kicker that the striker was still not fully fit when the squad was decided, though his recovery had since improved.“Two months ago, when we started our preparations, this question was not to be expected. He wasn’t ready, he was in pain, his knee wasn’t doing so well, and physically he was very far behind,” Martinez said.“But the good thing is that his knee is responding better. There are still occasional minor issues, but it’s much, much better. Because such a talent deserves a better year for him. And not just this year, but throughout his career.”Related NewsOkoye really sweet, Cardi B says after third sightingWhy Ndah chose Al Shomooa SC over SundownsNnadi opts against surgery for speedy returnThe Leverkusen coach said he expected to face repeated questions about Boniface’s omission as the striker continues his recovery.“I hope you can ask me the reason for this decision every week, because Boni is getting better and better. That would be best for him and the club,” he said.Martinez added that he remains hopeful of having the Nigerian available in the coming months.“In many games, when we need a goal, Boni is on my mind. We will help him improve, and I hope that in the coming months or at the end of the season we can say: Boni is at 100 per cent.”Boniface will now continue working on his recovery as he aims to rediscover the form that made him a standout during his debut season at the BayArena. “Two months ago, when we started our preparations, this question was not to be expected. He wasn’t ready, he was in pain, his knee wasn’t doing so well, and physically he was very far behind,” Martinez said.“But the good thing is that his knee is responding better. There are still occasional minor issues, but it’s much, much better. Because such a talent deserves a better year for him. And not just this year, but throughout his career.”Related NewsOkoye really sweet, Cardi B says after third sightingWhy Ndah chose Al Shomooa SC over SundownsNnadi opts against surgery for speedy returnThe Leverkusen coach said he expected to face repeated questions about Boniface’s omission as the striker continues his recovery.“I hope you can ask me the reason for this decision every week, because Boni is getting better and better. That would be best for him and the club,” he said.Martinez added that he remains hopeful of having the Nigerian available in the coming months.“In many games, when we need a goal, Boni is on my mind. We will help him improve, and I hope that in the coming months or at the end of the season we can say: Boni is at 100 per cent.”Boniface will now continue working on his recovery as he aims to rediscover the form that made him a standout during his debut season at the BayArena. “But the good thing is that his knee is responding better. There are still occasional minor issues, but it’s much, much better. Because such a talent deserves a better year for him. And not just this year, but throughout his career.”Related NewsOkoye really sweet, Cardi B says after third sightingWhy Ndah chose Al Shomooa SC over SundownsNnadi opts against surgery for speedy returnThe Leverkusen coach said he expected to face repeated questions about Boniface’s omission as the striker continues his recovery.“I hope you can ask me the reason for this decision every week, because Boni is getting better and better. That would be best for him and the club,” he said.Martinez added that he remains hopeful of having the Nigerian available in the coming months.“In many games, when we need a goal, Boni is on my mind. We will help him improve, and I hope that in the coming months or at the end of the season we can say: Boni is at 100 per cent.”Boniface will now continue working on his recovery as he aims to rediscover the form that made him a standout during his debut season at the BayArena. The Leverkusen coach said he expected to face repeated questions about Boniface’s omission as the striker continues his recovery.“I hope you can ask me the reason for this decision every week, because Boni is getting better and better. That would be best for him and the club,” he said.Martinez added that he remains hopeful of having the Nigerian available in the coming months.“In many games, when we need a goal, Boni is on my mind. We will help him improve, and I hope that in the coming months or at the end of the season we can say: Boni is at 100 per cent.”Boniface will now continue working on his recovery as he aims to rediscover the form that made him a standout during his debut season at the BayArena. “I hope you can ask me the reason for this decision every week, because Boni is getting better and better. That would be best for him and the club,” he said.Martinez added that he remains hopeful of having the Nigerian available in the coming months.“In many games, when we need a goal, Boni is on my mind. We will help him improve, and I hope that in the coming months or at the end of the season we can say: Boni is at 100 per cent.”Boniface will now continue working on his recovery as he aims to rediscover the form that made him a standout during his debut season at the BayArena. Martinez added that he remains hopeful of having the Nigerian available in the coming months.“In many games, when we need a goal, Boni is on my mind. We will help him improve, and I hope that in the coming months or at the end of the season we can say: Boni is at 100 per cent.”Boniface will now continue working on his recovery as he aims to rediscover the form that made him a standout during his debut season at the BayArena. “In many games, when we need a goal, Boni is on my mind. We will help him improve, and I hope that in the coming months or at the end of the season we can say: Boni is at 100 per cent.”Boniface will now continue working on his recovery as he aims to rediscover the form that made him a standout during his debut season at the BayArena. Boniface will now continue working on his recovery as he aims to rediscover the form that made him a standout during his debut season at the BayArena.