Ce setback keeps Malick Fofana out of Lyon’s line‑up for now

Ce, Malick Fofana remains absent from competition with Lyon as his ankle injury continues to keep him out of the squad, a situation described by coach Paulo Fonseca as sensitive for the Gones.

NOUVEAU Reçois des notifications pour chaque news importante ! Inscris-toi ICI ! Deviens fan de Lyon! The club’s fan outreach message appears alongside the update on the Belgian winger.

Fofana has not started a match since 26 October, when a fracture to his right ankle was suffered in a game against Strasbourg, preventing him from being in the starting eleven.

His return was announced for January, then February, then March, and he only managed a few minutes in May, with a full preparation originally planned to reset his fitness.

Lyon have played three friendly matches since his injury, and Fofana did not feature in any of them, nor did he appear in yesterday’s victory over Swiss side FC Servette.

Paulo Fonseca said, "I said he should maybe play a few minutes and I still try to say the truth. We programmed Malick to be there. But recent days there have been doubts. We cannot take risks," emphasizing caution.

Medical opinion now requires external surgeons who saw him in England to meet with the doctors who operated in Lyon, as the player began the season with pain and the specialists need to decide the next steps.

He continues to train individually, separate from the group, after consultation with his surgeon, with the decision that individual work must continue to avoid any risk.

The delay fuels speculation that, without his injury, he might have left Lyon with tens of millions in the club’s coffers, a rumor Fonseca dismisses, stating, "Many talk about him. Some think he does not play to sell him. That is not true. He will be with us this season. His absence today is only due to his physical condition."

Le situation creates tension in the capital of Gaul, and fans are invited to sign up for the Walfoot newsletter for further updates.