Kluivert and Maitland-Niles near return as Merah a doubt after France U19 knock? | OneFootball

Lyon have been handed a lift as Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Ruben Kluivert and Noham Kamara trained with the squad on Tuesday, while concern lingers over Khalis Merah after France U19 duty.

According to Le Progres, club footage from Décines showed the defensive trio reintegrated in collective drills after recent absences.

Maitland-Niles suffered an adductor injury in the Coupe de France quarter-final against Lens and had already rejoined the group last week. He is thought to be closer to a comeback, as is Kamara, who sustained a similar issue. Kluivert had a hamstring relapse before the late-February trip to Marseille.

After weeks of shortages at the back due to suspensions and knocks, Paulo Fonseca could finally regain options for the run-in. Nicolas Tagliafico is suspended for Angers, Lorient and PSG.

Whether the returning trio could be involved as soon as Sunday will be clarified by Fonseca at his Friday press conference. That briefing will also address the condition of recent internationals, notably Merah, who went off early in the second half on Tuesday with France U19s and is understood to have a foot problem.

Source: Le Progres