The return of Sofiane Diop, Nicolas Pepe and Youssouf Ndayishimiye's absences, Aaron Ramsey's injury and Youcef Atal's fitness: Didier Digard gave an update on his squad 48 hours before the trip to Strasbourg (kick-off at 17:00 on Saturday).

PEPE AND NDAYISHIMIYE OUT, RAMSEY DOUBTFUL

"We're going to have a look at Aaron Ramsey tomorrow (calf fatigue)," explained the Nice coach, before confirming the absences of Nicolas Pepe (knee tendon) and Youssouf Ndayishimiye (knee sprain). The latter "played with an injury. It didn't get worse but it was something very complicated to begin with. He is a great competitor and he wanted us to last in this European Cup and help us as much as possible. It's become a sensitive area, and we can't take any risks, it's become too dangerous. It will take as long as it takes, if we don't see him again this season then we won't see him again: there is no worry about that as long as he starts next season at 100%.

DIOP, IT'S BECOMING CLEARER

"Sofiane has trained the whole week. Last week he came back well, he worked well. This week he had a really promising week after such a long absence. We're happy, it strengthens the group," said the Nice coach, while the number 10 has not appeared since March 3 (Nice 1-1 Auxerre).

ATAL “GETTING BETTER AND BETTER"

The coach also gave news of Youcef Atal, back on the field during the victory against Rennes (2-1) "He is doing well. We still manage him a little bit on the loads, but differently. Today, he is taking part in all the big sessions, the most difficult and the most intense ones, and we are a little more careful the following day. He's getting better and better.

---