Guela Doue targets rapid return after Bayer Leverkusen calf injury

Cote d’Ivoire defender Guela Doue is focused on recovering from a calf injury after making his first appearance for new club Bayer Leverkusen.

Doue played a brief cameo in Leverkusen’s match against Augsburg before damaging a muscle in his right calf during training last month. An MRI scan confirmed that he is expected to be sidelined for a couple of weeks.

The injury also rules him out of Cote d’Ivoire’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) PAMOJA Qualifiers against Ghana and Somali.

Although disappointed by the setback, Doue said his first minutes for the Bundesliga club had given him an encouraging introduction to his new team.

“Obviously I was frustrated at first, but unfortunately injuries are just part and parcel of sport. Those first few minutes on the pitch with the guys in Augsburg already felt brilliant. I’m getting better day by day. Now it’s all about getting fit again as quickly as possible so I can finally play in our stadium in front of our fans,” he said.

The defender has been unable to experience a home match from the pitch since joining Leverkusen, but he said watching from the stands had increased his anticipation of playing at the club’s stadium.

“The recent home games, which I could unfortunately only watch from the stands, have made me look forward to it even more. The atmosphere and the fans’ passion were incredible! They love this club and are here to support us.”

Doue began his career with Ligue 1 club Rennes, joining them at the age of eight. He moved to RC Strasbourg Alsace for the 2024/25 season before completing his switch to the Bundesliga at the start of this season.

He has also had support from Leverkusen’s French-speaking players as he adjusts to a new club and develops relationships with the rest of the squad.

“Obviously at the start it was mainly the French guys who helped me. I actually already knew Martin [Terrier] and Loic [Bade] before, but everyone really looked after me. It’s perfectly normal for players who speak the same language to spend a bit more time together in day-to-day life,” Doue added.

He stressed that the presence of a French-speaking group had not affected the wider unity within the squad.

“That doesn’t change the fact that our team spirit is really very good. Everyone gets on with everyone else, and I’m currently learning both German and Spanish.”