Achraf Hakimi return to boost PSG’s right flank, depth and midfield balance | OneFootball

According to L'Équipe, Achraf Hakimi’s return is expected to give PSG their first-choice right-back, added depth and a stronger midfield, just as Newcastle visit on Wednesday with direct last-16 qualification on the line.

Luis Enrique could also welcome Fabian Ruiz, Nuno Mendes and Joao Neves back, with Monday’s session after Sunday’s rest day set to gauge their fitness.

Hakimi has been out since spraining his left ankle in the 1-2 defeat to Bayern Munich on four November. He resumed with Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations, which ended eight days ago in a 0-1 extra-time loss to Senegal. Back in Paris midweek, the 27-year-old looked determined to move on after rejecting surgery and grafting to make the tournament.

He came off the bench in Morocco’s first three games, then started the next four, and still needs minutes after that lay-off. Enrique said before the 1-0 win at Auxerre that he was in normal condition with a minor issue and that they would see how he felt. He initially trained indoors and missed Auxerre, has since returned to the pitch and is available, with Ibrahim Mbaye’s start in Burgundy keeping options open while caution suggests a gentle reintroduction.

Paris played 15 matches without him, winning nine, drawing one, losing three and prevailing twice on penalties. They regain a leader and their undisputed right-back.

His presence adds depth to Enrique’s positional play, and he produced 11 goals and 16 assists last season, with two goals and three assists before this injury. It also frees Warren Zaïre-Emery to return to midfield after 25 straight starts, raising competition with Neves, Vitinha and Ruiz, with Ruiz missing seven games and Neves 14 so far.

Source: L'Équipe