Algerian international Sohaïb Naïr nears return after lengthy injury layoff

Sohaïb Naïr is edging closer to a long-awaited return to action after spending more than three months on the sidelines through injury.

The Algerian international defender resumed collective training with En Avant Guingamp on Wednesday, signalling the beginning of the final phase of his recovery.

The 23-year-old has been out since June with a setback that halted his momentum at a crucial point in his young career.

Naïr had impressed throughout the previous campaign, performances that earned him a maiden call-up to Vladimir Petković’s Algeria squad earlier this year.

However, the injury struck just as he was establishing himself for both club and country, ruling him out of the national team’s summer camp and delaying what many expected to be his breakthrough season.

According to sources close to Guingamp, Naïr has returned to full training and is gradually reintegrating into match preparation.

While his progress is encouraging, the French club’s medical staff are taking a cautious approach to avoid any relapse.

His first competitive appearance could come within weeks, though the exact timeline remains dependent on how his body responds to the increased workload.

The timing of his return carries significant implications for his international future.

With the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations set to kick off on 21 December, Naïr faces a race against time to prove his fitness and form.

The defender’s absence has opened the door for others in Petković’s setup, most notably Samir Chergui, whose recent rise has intensified competition for defensive places.

Even so, those close to the national team believe Naïr’s composure, anticipation, and tactical awareness still make him a player worth monitoring in the coming weeks.

His immediate priority, however, is to regain sharpness and confidence at club level.

Guingamp, who have struggled for consistency in Ligue 2, view his return as a timely boost to their defensive stability.

Naïr’s calm presence and strong positional sense had become key assets for the Breton side before his injury.

If he can rediscover that form, the chances of reclaiming a place in Algeria’s defensive line-up may not be entirely out of reach.

For now, the focus remains on a careful and complete recovery — one step at a time.

As the Africa Cup of Nations approaches, Sohaïb Naïr’s challenge will be as much physical as it is psychological: proving that he can return stronger than before.