Coupe de France: Estève present, full-backs Sainte-Luce and Mincarelli back in an even younger MHSC group

Lucas Mincarelli s'était blessé face à l'OM (1-1), avant la trêve hivernale. Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART

As expected, the two defenders are back with Montpellier, expected on Wednesday January 24 in Maubeuge to face Entente Feignies-Aulnoye in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France.

One less problem ? After several matches having to tinker with a left side, the MHSC will be able to count on two professional full-backs, Théo Sainte-Luce and Lucas Mincarelli, during the 16th final of the Coupe de France against Feignies-Aulnoye in Maubeuge (North), Wednesday (6 p.m.). 

A match for which Maxime Estève was summoned despite the possibility of a departure for Burnley (England). 

The return of the two defenders was announced by their coach Michel Der Zakarian on Monday at a press conference. It was confirmed with the publication of the group this Tuesday. 

🏆👊 𝑳𝑬 𝑮𝑹𝑶𝑼𝑷𝑬 #EFAMHSC 👥 20 joueurs convoqués pic.twitter.com/rdbZQGOPsy

— MHSC (@MontpellierHSC) January 23, 2024

Sainte-Luce injured his ankle on November 29 against Clermont (1-1). While Mincarelli was hit in an adductor before the break against OM (1-1). 

Nine absent

Despite these two returns, the MHSC will still have to deal with a rejuvenated group (Allix, Issoufou, Maama), the fault of an ever-long list of absentees. This Wednesday, nine players will be missing: the suspended Joris Chotard and Christopher Jullien but also the striker Tanguy Coulibaly, injured in a shoulder in Brest. These packages are in addition to those of the internationals, selected for the CAN (Bertaud, Kouyaté, Sacko, Sylla, Tchato) or the Asian Cup (Tamari). 

In Feignies-Aulnoye, three absentees are counted: Vaast (injured) but also Dufour and Obino, suspended.