Senegalese defender Moussa Niakhaté and winger Ernest Nuamah, recovered from minor muscle soreness, will make the trip for Lyon’s visit to Brest on Sunday in Ligue 1 matchday 10, interim coach Jorge Maciel has confirmed.
Olympique Lyonnais are getting two players back for their last match before the international break. Absent on Thursday in the Europa League game against Real Sociedad (1-1), Moussa Niakhaté and Ernest Nuamah were suffering from minor muscle soreness in the calf and thigh. They returned to training on Saturday and will make the trip to Brest on Sunday 8 November at 17:15, according to OneFootball Olympique-et-Lyonnais.
Their return is good news for a squad still missing several important players. Their presence in the group does not, however, guarantee they will start, something Jorge Maciel did not address in the information available.
A valuable return before Brest
The presence of Moussa Niakhaté in the squad is a relief for Lyon’s defence. The centre-back had been ruled out against Real Sociedad, as had winger Ernest Nuamah. Their participation in Saturday’s training session led the staff to take them to Brittany.
Jorge Maciel confirmed at a press conference that the two players would travel with the rest of the squad, according to OneFootball MadeInFOOT. The coach will have to work with a group that is still depleted.
A squad still decimated
While Niakhaté and Nuamah are back, Lyon are still without several players: Mohamed Ouédraogo (torn cruciate ligament), Loïs Openda (fractured right fibula), Pavel Sulc (meniscus injury), Steeve Kango (concussion protocol) and Tyler Morton (groin strain), according to OneFootball MadeInFOOT and Le Progrès.
Asked about Tyler Morton, Jorge Maciel said: “For Tyler, we’ll see what the best strategy is, nothing has been decided yet regarding an operation.” So no decision has been made for the player at this stage.
An interim spell and an announced arrival
For Jorge Maciel, the Brest match will be his second in charge of Lyon on an interim basis, after Thursday’s Europa League game. He is filling in while waiting for the announced arrival of Carlos Vicens as Paulo Fonseca’s successor, according to OneFootball MadeInFOOT. That arrival is expected during the international break.
The trip to Brest on Sunday at 17:15 is Lyon’s last match before that break.