With Youssouf Ndayishimiye absent through suspension, Francesco Farioli may deploy Khéphren Thuram in the No.6 role when OGC Nice face Montpellier HSC on Friday night.
Ndayishimiye was shown a straight red card against Stade Rennais last weekend and will therefore miss the next two matches. The Burundi international has been an ever-present since the start of the season. Farioli has spent the week therefore testing different solutions.
Thuram has been tried in the position, as has Hicham Bouadoui, who was frequently deployed in holding midfield last season. There is equally the possibility of a change in formation, however, given the defensive security that the 4-3-3 has provided so far this season, this is perhaps unlikely. Bar Ndayishimiye, Alexis Claude-Maurice is the only notable absentee for Les Aiglons. Jordan Lotomba returned to first-team training this week, but it is unlikely that he will be fit enough to start.
Nice likely lineup v Montpellier
Marcin Bulka; Melvin Bard, Dante, Jean-Clair Todibo, Pablo Rosario; Hicham Boudaoui, Khéphren Thuram, Morgan Sanson; Jérémie Boga, Terem Moffi, Gaëtan Laborde.
