AJ Auxerre has received a significant injury update ahead of their pivotal Ligue 1 encounter with Nice this Sunday. The club's manager, Christophe Pelissier, confirmed during his Friday press conference that first-choice goalkeeper Donovan Léon is on track to return to the squad.
Léon had missed Auxerre's previous two fixtures, including their recent 3-1 victory over Angers, due to a thigh problem. Pelissier stated that the Guyanese shot-stopper is feeling much better and is expected to be available for selection after a final assessment following Saturday's training session.
The return of Léon provides a major boost for Auxerre as they prepare to host Nice in a match with significant implications at the bottom of the table. Auxerre is currently fighting to avoid relegation, making every point crucial in their battle for survival.
However, the news is not all positive on the injury front for the home side. There is uncertainty surrounding the availability of central defender Bryan Okoh. The manager revealed that Okoh is dealing with a problem in his plantar vault, the arch of his foot, and his participation in the match is currently in doubt.
Furthermore, Auxerre will definitely be without several other key players. Midfielder Oussama El-Azzouzi is confirmed to be sidelined with a hamstring injury. The squad will also miss the contributions of attacking midfielders Romain Faivre and Fredrik Oppegard, who are both ruled out due to ankle injuries.
The match against Nice, who sit 15th in the Ligue 1 standings, represents a critical opportunity for Auxerre to secure valuable points in their relegation fight. The potential return of their experienced goalkeeper could be a decisive factor in what promises to be a tightly contested affair at the Stade de l'Abbé-Deschamps.
Based on reporting from Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continu.
