Augsburg manager Jess Thorup has expressed surprise over Frank Onyeka's exclusion from Nigeria's squad for last month’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Despite being named in the provisional 39-man list, the 27-year-old midfielder was left out of the final 23-man squad for the games against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

Since joining Augsburg from Premier League side Brentford, Onyeka has been a regular starter in the Bundesliga. Thorup, who has been impressed with Onyeka’s form, admitted he was caught off guard by the decision.

“I think Frank has had an amazing season in one of the top leagues in Europe,” Thorup said, as quoted by Oma Sports. “I was really surprised he wasn’t called up to the Nigeria squad.”

Thorup went on to say that he was confident Onyeka would be included in the final squad and even hoped the midfielder would start in the qualifiers.

“I was sure Frank was going to be part of it,” Thorup continued. “I even hoped he would start and play from the beginning.”

The Augsburg boss acknowledged the coach's decision, but remained hopeful for Onyeka’s future national team involvement.

“We were all surprised, but that was the coach’s decision. Frank can only keep performing well and hope to get the call-up next time.”