AS Saint-Étienne have received a welcome boost ahead of their do-or-die clash with Toulouse as Ghanaian midfielder Augustine Boakye made a return to training.
Although he will not be in the squad for Saturday’s critical fixture, his presence back on the training ground raises hopes of a timely return for the Ligue 1 relegation play-offs, should the club be forced into them.
Saturday night promises high drama at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard as ASSE face a tense relegation battle. With their Ligue 1 status on the line, the club must either defeat Toulouse and hope Le Havre drop points against Strasbourg, or draw and rely on a significant Strasbourg victory.
The atmosphere surrounding the club is electric, with the stakes as high as they have been all season.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, head coach Eirik Horneland offered updates on his squad’s injury situation, confirming Boakye’s long-awaited return.
“Lucas Stassin trained for the first time this morning, as did Augustine Boakye, who has rejoined the group. They will not be in the squad for Saturday’s game,” he explained.
Boakye’s return to group training marks a significant step forward in his recovery, and although he won’t be available this weekend, his gradual reintegration offers a glimmer of hope.
A potential appearance in the play-offs could provide the team with much-needed energy and depth in midfield.
Meanwhile, Lucas Stassin, the club’s top scorer this season with 12 goals, also remains unavailable. He has only just returned to light training after a thigh injury and is not yet match-fit.
His absence is a major blow for ASSE, particularly given the magnitude of Saturday’s clash and the importance of seizing every scoring opportunity.
The match against Toulouse could prove decisive not just for ASSE’s season, but for the future of several players and the direction of the club itself.
Despite missing key figures, the squad must rally with what remains at their disposal, hoping to keep their destiny within reach.
Supporters will be closely watching both their own team and the outcome of Le Havre’s game, knowing that survival in the top flight may come down to a combination of grit, luck, and results beyond their control.
Amid this tense backdrop, any sign of recovery among sidelined players is cause for cautious optimism.
Should Saint-Étienne extend their season into the play-offs, the return of Boakye could not come at a better time.
While he will not be present on the pitch this weekend, his return to the training ground offers a symbolic boost—signalling that the team is not yet out of the fight.
For now, ASSE must summon every ounce of determination to secure a result on Saturday. Their immediate future in French football’s top division hangs by a thread.
