Marseille brace for league return as Hojbjerg and Gouiri remain doubtful

On a quiet Tuesday evening at the Stade Vélodrome, Olympique de Marseille gathered to assess the fitness of several internationals after the international break. Hojbjerg, Gouiri and Abdelli featured prominently in the update, with the club keen to gauge how their absences will affect the upcoming Ligue 1 clash against Troyes.

Injuries sustained on international duty

Himad Abdelli suffered an ankle knock while representing Algeria but has recovered enough to start the friendly against Niger. Pierre‑Emile Hojbjerg returned from Denmark with a knock that will be examined further by the medical team on Wednesday. Derek Cornelius faces the longest lay‑off, with a hip injury incurred during a Canada training session ruling him out until 2027.

Positive signs amid the setbacks

Amine Harit, who was sidelined with a knee problem before the break, and Geoffrey Kondogbia, recovering from a thigh issue, both joined the collective training for the first time on Tuesday. Nnadi also returned to full training after missing the friendly defeat to Montpellier. These developments offer a modest boost to Bruno Genesio’s squad.

Remaining cautions and upcoming fixtures

Amine Gouiri felt a thigh strain during Algeria’s match against the Fennecs and has been training separately as the club adopts a cautious approach. The Olympians sit second‑last in Ligue 1 after five matches and will travel to Troyes on Sunday at 20:45, hoping to halt a run of five consecutive defeats. A congested schedule looms, with eight Europa League games slated within a month, demanding full availability from the squad.