When will Malick Fofana return as Lyon wait on key winger for the run-in? | OneFootball

Malick Fofana’s return is in the balance as the Lyon winger manages pain after right ankle surgery, with club and country watching.

According to L'Équipe, he had been pencilled in for early March, but discomfort has delayed him and could compromise his place with Belgium.

The Belgian international, five caps and one goal, suffered a severe right ankle sprain after Ismaël Doukouré’s tackle in the 2-1 win over Strasbourg on 26 October. He had syndesmosis surgery in November, then wore a walking boot before beginning gym work later that month.

He started straight line running in December, added changes of direction and explosiveness in January, still without contact. Adjusted opposition work seems to have begun in February, though pain persisted, likely through compensation.

An MRI last week showed the ligaments are healing, and he received an injection to ease post-op pain. The effect may not be immediate, but he could rejoin the group this week for Paris FC, or at the latest next week for the trip to Le Havre on Sunday 15 March.

OL need their forwards back, including Pavel Sulc, Afonso Moreira and Ernest Nuamah, who has not featured for a year. Belgium face the USA on 28 March and Mexico on 31 March. With Kevin De Bruyne out since late October with a thigh problem, plus issues for Charles De Ketelaere and Jérémy Doku, coach Rudi Garcia needs fit options, and Fofana remains on track to join a normal session.

Source: L'Équipe