Le Havre captain Abdoulaye Touré has resumed training with the squad as he edges closer to a return from injury ahead of Sunday’s Ligue 1 clash against RC Lens.
The 31-year-old midfielder has been sidelined since the summer with a thigh problem that ruled him out of pre-season fixtures and forced him to miss the opening-day defeat at Monaco, where Le Havre fell 3-0.
His appearance alongside teammates in today’s session marks the first encouraging sign of progress since the setback.
Touré’s availability could provide a significant boost to Luka Elsner’s side, who are under pressure to respond after a disappointing start to the campaign.
However, despite his return to training, the Guinean international is not yet guaranteed to feature in Sunday’s line-up.
Club medical staff will continue to assess his condition, with a final decision on his participation likely to be taken just before kick-off.
The timing of his potential comeback is crucial for Le Havre.
Their upcoming fixture against Lens pits together two sides who began the season with defeats, leaving both searching for a quick recovery to avoid early pressure in the league table.
For Le Havre, the return of their captain would bring not only technical stability in midfield but also much-needed leadership as they seek to secure their first points of the campaign.
Touré, who has been a central figure since joining the Normandy club, carries the responsibility of organising play and shielding the defence.
His absence in Monaco was felt as the team struggled to retain possession and counter the home side’s intensity.
His presence on Sunday could help restore balance in midfield and allow Le Havre to approach the game with greater confidence.
Despite the optimism, Elsner remains cautious. Rushing Touré back could risk aggravating the injury, and the club is mindful of his importance over the course of a long season.
We are pleased to have Abdoulaye back in training, but we will only make a final call closer to the match, a team source indicated.
The Stade Océane will host what promises to be a tense contest on 24 August, with both Le Havre and Lens eager to put their opening setbacks behind them.
Whether or not Abdoulaye Touré is fit to take his place in the starting eleven may well prove decisive in determining how Le Havre fare in front of their home supporters.
