Europa League: Injury boost for Lyon ahead of Crystal Palace clash

Olympique Lyon have received an injury boost as defender Moussa Niakhate is expected to return to the squad for today’s Europa League home clash against Premier League side Crystal Palace.

The 30-year-old Senegal international has been out of action since he suffered a hamstring injury during the international break, forcing him to miss the club’s 1-0 defeat to RC Lens on Friday.

Speaking at the press conference ahead of the clash, Lyon manager Paulo Fonseca said he resumed training on Tuesday and trained on Wednesday, albeit at a low intensity.

Expressing optimism about his participation in the clash, Fonseca said he will be able to bank on him as his side hopes to continue their positive run in the competition.

This has therefore addressed uncertainty over his availability, as Fonseca could give him some minutes as he returns to match fitness.

This means Niakhate is likely to start on the bench, with Felix Bacher and Ruben Kluivert expected to retain their places in central defense.

The defender has been a regular starter this season, featuring in eight matches and starting every appearance for the French club before injury forced him out of action.

Lyon are expected to use the crowd at Groupama Stadium to their advantage as they head into Thursday’s clash, seeking to win six consecutive group-stage/League Phase matches in the Europa League for the first time. 

After being ousted by Fenerbahce, which sent them to the competition, the French have made a winning start in the Europa League group stagee, beating Anderlecht 2-1.

The same is true of the Eagles, who defeated Polish side Lech Poznan 4-0 at Selhurst Park last month.

The Conference League holders have lost only one of their last 12 European matches, with eight wins and three draws.

Both sides are expected to enter the clash confident.