MHSC: Chotard on the return, Kouyaté forfeits against Lorient, Montpellier prepares before the reception of Merlus

Kouyaté est forfait tandis que Chotard est sur la voie du retour. Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART

Remis d’une blessure au mollet, le milieu de terrain de Montpellier Joris Chotard est apte pour reprendre face à Lorient. À l’inverse, l’international malien Kiki Kouyaté, victime d’une commotion, est indisponible.

One goes in, the other goes out. Defensive midfielder Joris Chotard, recovered from a calf injury, is preparing to make his return on Sunday (3 p.m.) at La Mosson in a new decisive match against Lorient during the 28th day of Ligue 1.

Conversely, central defender Kiki Kouyaté, victim of a concussion on Sunday in Le Havre (0-2) during an aerial duel with André Ayew , is forfeited to face the Bretons, one of the direct competitors for maintenance. Replaced at the hour mark by Christopher Julien, scorer of the second goal, the Malian international (26 years old) must observe a week of rest before resuming training. As prescribed by the neurologist consulted at the beginning of the week.

Kouyaté has just suffered his second concussion in less than a year. Last season, almost at the same time, he suffered a head impact during the match (1-1) in Marseille.

Tamari "At the moment, is not fit to play"

Chotard took part in collective training on Wednesday amid laughter, loud voices and provocations. "He is fit, but we have to see by the end of the week if he has the legs" nuance coach Michel Der Zakarian.

Ex-international Espoir was injured on March 8 in Nice (1-2) just before the gathering of the French Olympic team. Affected by the sun, the essential defensive midfielder was forced to decline the selection of Thierry Henry.

👊 𝑫𝒆́𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒅'𝒖𝒏𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒅'𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊̂𝒏𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕

👀 🔜 #MHSCFCL 🏟↩

🔗 https://t.co/o8Qh1FWp2r pic.twitter.com/ULlZaqULEM

— MHSC (@MontpellierHSC) April 2, 2024

Striker Mousa Tamari did not take part in the first two training sessions of the week. The Jordan international (26 years old), who did not appreciate his change against Le Havre, feels "pain in the arch of the foot", according to Der Zak. "For the moment, he is not fit to play" he specifies at four days of the arrival of Lorient.

The young Lucas Mincarelli, author of a decisive pass in Normandy, will move on to the left-back position. Guinean Issiaga Sylla is treating a calf injury, contracted during the warm-up in front of PSG, and hopes to resume training next week. As for Théo Sainte-Luce, hit in one thigh, he was spared at the start of the week.

The full-back Falaye Sacko, left in the stands at Le Havre, and the striker Wahbi Khari, who has served his match suspension, are ready for & quot;playing a new very important match" warns Der Zak who adds. "A victory would allow us to dismiss this good team to six points". And to get your head out of the water a little more before going to Clermont.