Senegal midfielder Dion Lopy returns for Almería after seven-week injury absence

Dion Lopy is set to make his return for UD Almería after missing 12 matches through injury, offering a timely lift as the club’s promotion challenge gathers pace.

The Senegal midfielder has not featured since December after suffering a right rectofemoral injury towards the end of 2025.

His absence ruled him out of matchday squads for more than seven weeks, during which the Andalusian side adopted what has been described as an approach of extreme caution to avoid any setback in his recovery.

According to reports from Wiw Sport, the 23-year-old is expected to be included in the squad for Friday’s 27th-round fixture in Spain’s second tier against Albacete.

His availability ends a lengthy rehabilitation period carefully managed by the club’s medical staff.

Lopy’s return comes at a crucial stage of the season. UD Almería currently sit third in La Liga 2 with 48 points, just two behind leaders Real Racing Club.

Under Spanish league rules, the top two teams secure automatic promotion, while those finishing between third and sixth enter the play-offs.

During Lopy’s absence, head coach Joan Francesc Ferrer Sicilia, known as “Rubi,” was forced to adjust his midfield options without a player regarded as central to his plans.

The Senegal international’s energy and presence have been considered key elements of Almería’s approach this season.

The careful handling of his injury underlines the sensitivity of the affected area and the club’s determination to prevent recurrence.

Having completed his rehabilitation, Lopy now returns at a decisive moment, with Almería locked in a tight battle at the top of the table.

Under contract until June 2029, the midfielder’s comeback could prove influential as the campaign enters its final stretch, with automatic promotion firmly within reach.