Emmanuel Emegha and Strasbourg must rediscover their understanding before season end | OneFootball

After months out, Emmanuel Emegha is edging back into Strasbourg's attack, and the side must quickly rebuild their understanding. They visit Lorient on Sunday at 15:00.

According to L'Équipe, the Dutchman endured a lengthy hamstring lay-off, during which Strasbourg first leaned on Joaquin Panichelli, then lost the Argentine to a serious knee injury.

Recast as a number nine, Julio Enciso impressed against Nice, 3-1 on 4 April, then Mainz, 4-0 on 16 April. The Paraguayan links play, roams frequently and wants passes to feet, a very different profile to Emegha.

Gary O'Neil arrived in January and could not involve Emegha until 9 April at Mainz, when a 25-minute cameo forced the German block back and hinted at added depth and transition speed. Starting against Nice for the first time in five months, he then struggled against Kojo Peprah Oppong, Juma Bah and Antoine Mendy, managing only two duels and 11 touches in 64 minutes.

Strasbourg need time to re-establish their patterns with him. Valentin Barco's ankle sprain on 16 April has hampered their attacking balance, as Emegha often feeds on the Argentine's long game. With six matches left, or seven if RCSA reach the Europa Conference League final, the run-in is tight.

He has already signed for Chelsea months ago, and no return to Racing is envisaged.

Source: L'Équipe