Senegalese centre-back Moussa Niakhaté returns to the Olympique Lyonnais squad for the visit of Crystal Palace in the Europa League, Lyon coach Paulo Fonseca has confirmed. The 30-year-old had been troubled by a hamstring issue during the international break with Senegal.
Moussa Niakhaté will indeed be in the Olympique Lyonnais squad to host Crystal Palace on Thursday 15 October at 18:45 at the Groupama Stadium in Décines (Canal+ Foot). The Senegalese centre-back, who had felt a hamstring strain, returned to collective training on Tuesday and then Wednesday to confirm his physical fitness, reports Dsports.sn.
Paulo Fonseca confirmed the return in a press conference, according to Lyon Foot. Good news for a defence hit by several absences, as Lyon go into the match after their 2-1 win over Anderlecht in their opening league-phase fixture.
A strain picked up with Senegal
The strain appeared during the Senegal national team camp, according to Flashscore.fr. As a result, Niakhaté withdrew from OL’s Ligue 1 trip to Lens on Friday 9 October, as reported by Lyon Foot.
Since then, he has returned to collective training. His presence in the squad, however, says nothing about whether he will start against Crystal Palace.
This season, Moussa Niakhaté has established himself as a key defensive figure for OL, with 8 appearances in all competitions, including 3 in the European play-offs, according to Flashscore.fr.
Absences in attack and defence
Lyon must do without Loïs Openda, who has suffered a crack in his fibula, Lyon Foot reports. Left-back Nicolás Tagliafico is also unavailable for around three weeks after an injury sustained with Argentina, according to the same source.
Burkinabé defender Mohamed Ouédraogo is out long term with a knee injury, reports Sport Pulse. Against that backdrop, Niakhaté’s return takes on extra value.
Crystal Palace, opponents full of confidence
The Londoners arrive after their first European match, a 4-0 win over Lech Poznan, according to Lyon Foot. They are managed by Pierre Sage, who told Lyon Foot: “I still feel connected to Lyon, in a way. I still have a house here.” A statement made as the Décines clash approaches.
For OL, a win in the Europa League league phase is worth a bonus of €450,000 under the UEFA scale, Lyon Foot points out.