Injury Woes Continue for Alain Traoré Ahead of Saint-Étienne Clash
BBC Sport Africa – Lorient
Burkina Faso international Alain Traoré faces yet another setback in his bid to return to full fitness, casting serious doubt over his availability for Lorient’s upcoming Ligue 1 fixture against AS Saint-Étienne.
The attacking midfielder, who had already missed Burkina Faso’s recent Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Gabon, was absent again during the Stallions’ latest outing — a draw against the same opponents. His continued absence stems from an ankle injury that has proven difficult to shake off.
According to French newspaper Ouest-France, Traoré was in the midst of a recovery session with his club, FC Lorient, when he was forced to cut it short on Wednesday morning. The 26-year-old reportedly suffered a recurrence of the same ankle injury following a minor collision with teammate Mehdi Mostefa.
The incident has cast fresh doubts over Traoré’s readiness for Lorient’s league match this weekend, as the club prepares for a crucial tie on the 10th matchday of the Ligue 1 season. If ruled out, it would mark yet another frustrating chapter in what has been a difficult campaign for the Burkinabe playmaker.
Traoré has not featured for Lorient since their home fixture against Stade de Reims on 20 September. Persistent injury problems have severely limited his playing time and denied him the chance to build rhythm and consistency.
The former Auxerre and Monaco man was once seen as one of West Africa’s most promising talents, known for his vision, technique, and long-range shooting. But injuries have plagued much of his career, and this latest setback threatens to further hinder his impact both at club and international level.
With Burkina Faso still fighting for qualification to the next Africa Cup of Nations, Traoré’s fitness remains a concern for national team selectors as well. His absence could prove costly if it extends into the next international window.
For now, Lorient and Burkina Faso will be hoping the injury proves minor — but with his recent history, caution remains the order of the day.
