Just ten days after securing victory in the Ligue 2 play-offs against Rodez (a 0-0 draw, followed by a 7-6 penalty shootout win), AS Saint-Étienne is now preparing for a challenging encounter with OGC Nice in the Ligue 1 promotion-relegation playoffs. On Monday afternoon, ahead of the first leg, Saint-Étienne’s coach, Philippe Montanier, provided an update on his squad’s fitness. Ben Old, the New Zealand left-back, remains a doubt for Tuesday’s opening match at Geoffroy-Guichard, having suffered a hamstring injury against Rodez. A final assessment for Old is scheduled for Tuesday morning to determine his availability.

Good news for Les Verts comes with the confirmed return of Florian Tardieu. The seasoned midfielder, sidelined since early March due to a calf injury, is now fully fit and ready for selection. Conversely, young forward Djylian N’Guessan will be unavailable, having sustained a new hamstring injury.

Concerns also linger regarding international players who are either called up or awaiting selection for the upcoming World Cup. Coach Philippe Montanier indicated, “We are still awaiting news, discussions are ongoing,” regarding their participation in Tuesday’s playoff first leg. This uncertainty specifically affects Ben Old (New Zealand), alongside Ghanaian players Augustine Boakye and Ebenezer Annan.

The highly anticipated Ligue 1 playoff first leg between ASSE and OGC Nice kicks off this Tuesday at 8:45 PM.