Arsenal loanee Nicolas Pépé (27), who is currently on loan at Ligue 1 side OGC Nice, is set to make his long-awaited return from injury against Sheriff Tiraspol on Thursday.
Pépé, who joined Arsenal from Lille OSC for €72m in 2019, has been missing for Les Aiglons since late January. Despite being initially named in Nice’s squad to face former club Lille on 29th January, he withdrew shortly before kick-off with knee pain. Get French Football News later saw Pépé exiting the Allianz Riviera with a heavy limp.
He has been absent since, with the injury being described as a tendinitis issue in his knee. After approximately six weeks on the sidelines, the Ivory Coast international is set to return.
Julien Sablé, deputising for manager Didier Digard in Wednesday’s press conference provided an update on Pépé’s return. “Nicolas will be in the squad. It’s important for him to be back,” he said.
During the press conference, attended by Get French Football News, Sablé added that Youcef Atal will be absent after suffering a setback, whilst Sofiane Diop and Antoine Mendy are also set to miss Thursday’s UEFA Europa Conference League tie at the Allianz Riviera. Nice have a narrow 1-0 advantage heading into the second leg.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
