Squad news: OL's Slimani back for Lens test | OneFootball

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·30 October 2021

Squad news: OL's Slimani back for Lens test

Article image:Squad news: OL's Slimani back for Lens test

Lyon have Algeria striker Islam Slimani back to lead the line as they take on second-placed Lens… check out all the latest squad information for Lyon, Lens, Metz and Saint-Etienne ahead of their Ligue 1 Uber Eats Round 12 matches on Saturday evening.

Olympique Lyonnais - RC Lens

- Kick-off at 21:00 CET (19:00 GMT)


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OL: Dembélé and Kadewere absent, Slimani back

Handed a three-match ban for his red card in Nice on Sunday, striker Tino Kadewere is suspended for the visit of Lens on Saturday. In addition, centre-forward Moussa Dembélé remains unavailable with a fractured leg. On the other hand, OL can look to striker Islam Slimani, now fit after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained playing for the Algerian national team.

Finally, coach Peter Bosz will have to wait a few more weeks before he can play Jeff Reine-Adelïde, who had surgery on his left knee in February and whose bone healing is behind schedule.

RC Lens: Full strength

It has been 18 years since RC Lens went into a match against Lyon with a higher ranking than their rivals from the Rhône valley. Lens, in second place behind PSG, "in a tightly packed top of the table", as coach Franck Haise pointed out, go to the Lyon with a full squad.

The Sang et Or have seen a fit-again Massadio Haïdara have a normal week in training and their only uncertainty is Ignatius Ganago, who struck in the 4-1 Round 11 win over Metz before being subbed off late in the game with a small cut in his knee.

"He had three stitches and so his week was a bit different from normal. He has resumed running and if he can have a full session with the squad on Friday in the group, he will be fit to be called up," explained Haise, who also confirmed the suspension of Jean-Louis Leca for the reception of Troyes, November 5. Leca's understudy, Wuilker Farinez, will thus play his first minutes of the season.

FC Metz - AS Saint-Etienne

- Kick-off at 19:00 CET (17:00 GMT)

FC Metz: Only Niakaté and Joseph missing

After having to deal with numerous injuries since the beginning of the season, Frédéric Antonetti will be able to freely make choices - rather than having his hand forced - for the visit of Saint-Etienne.

Striker Lenny Joseph and central defender Sikou Niakaté (muscular injuries) are the only players unavailable. Absent at Lens but back in training a few days ago, central defender Kiki Kouyaté and striker Ibrahima Niane (muscle injuries) will likely be rested. Midfielder Kevin N'Doram, who fell in Lens on his previously fractured collarbone, was able to train normally this week.

ASSE: Moukoudi absent, Khazri uncertain

For this trip to Metz, which pits Ligue 1 Uber Eats' two lowest-ranked sides against each other, Saint-Etienne will be without two key defenders: stopper Harold Moukoudi (hamstring) and left-back Miguel Trauco (groin).

Timothée Kolodziejczak, who was absent last time out, has resumed training but there is still some doubt as to whether he will be able to play in Lorraine. The same goes for midfielder Yvan Neyou and club top scorer with six goals Wahbi Khazri, who finished the match against Angers (2-2) with an ankle injury.

Goalkeeper Etienne Green also returned to the field at the beginning of the week but will not necessarily make his return, after a "cold spell" according to the coach Claude Puel. Midfielder Zaïdou Youssouf, suspended last weekend, is available.

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