Lorient head to Le Mans on Saturday night with Noah Mbamba facing a late fitness test after the 21-year-old midfielder’s bright start to the season.
Mbamba, who scored in last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Toulouse after also impressing in the win at Lens, hurt his hamstring during a physical challenge in Wednesday’s training session. Lorient coach Alexandre Dujeux said on Thursday that the midfielder is a doubt for the Ligue 1 trip, scheduled for 20:45.
Forward Aiyegun Tosin is also uncertain after being ill during the week, leaving Dujeux with possible selection problems ahead of a fixture in which the Merlus will seek greater control over the full 90 minutes.
Dujeux wants a more complete performance
Lorient were forced onto the back foot after half-time against Toulouse, despite Mbamba finding the net. Dujeux wants his side to avoid the same drop in authority at Le Mans.
“We need to become more consistent from one half to the other,” the Lorient coach said.
The match offers Lorient a chance to protect an unbeaten away record so far this Ligue 1 campaign. They opened their travels with a goalless draw at Nice on the first matchday, before taking a 1-0 victory at Lens in round three.
Mbamba’s absence would be a setback
Mbamba has become an increasingly visible figure in Lorient’s midfield in recent weeks, and his possible absence would remove both energy and a recent source of goals from Dujeux’s options.
Lorient will make the journey to Le Mans hoping the hamstring issue proves minor, while monitoring Tosin’s condition until the final preparations for Saturday evening.
