AS Saint-Étienne faces Nice: Old’s status uncertain, Tardieu returns for crucial playoff
- Saint-Étienne
With the Ligue 1 playoffs against Nice looming, AS Saint-Étienne faces an uncertain outcome as left-back Ben Old battles a hamstring injury sustained during the play-offs against Rodez. Meanwhile, midfielder Florian Tardieu, recovering from a calf strain, is set to return to action.
The Greens are coming off a dramatic victory in the Ligue 2 play-offs against Rodez (0-0, 7-6 on penalties). As they prepare to face OGC Nice in the Ligue 1 playoffs, head coach Philippe Montanier addressed the squad’s condition this Monday. Old, who suffered a hamstring injury against Rodez, remains questionable for Tuesday’s away leg at Geoffroy-Guichard. The New Zealand international will undergo a final fitness test Tuesday morning before a final decision is made.
The team will welcome back Florian Tardieu. The experienced midfielder, sidelined since early March due to a calf injury, is now fit to play. However, Djylian N’Guessan, another player recovering from a hamstring strain, will miss the match.
Uncertainty also lingers over the availability of certain international players whose national team commitments may affect their participation in Tuesday’s crucial clash. Coach Montanier noted ongoing discussions regarding the status of Old (New Zealand), Augustine Boakye and Ebenezer Annan (Ghana).
AS Saint-Étienne vs. OGC Nice, Ligue 1 playoff first leg, live on radio from 20:45.
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