Herve Renard faces three injury doubts before first Cote d’Ivoire squad

Herve Renard must resolve three significant injury concerns before naming his first Cote d’Ivoire squad since returning as head coach on Wednesday.

The Elephants are due to host Ghana on 24 September, face Somalia five days later and then play Cameroon in a friendly on 3 October. Renard’s preparations for the three-match schedule have already been complicated by doubts over Wilfried Singo, Simon Adingra and Amad Diallo.

Singo appears to be the most serious concern. The Galatasaray defender is out again with a thigh injury and has made very few appearances since the start of the season, making his involvement against Ghana doubtful.

His potential absence would leave Renard without a particularly useful option. Singo can operate both at right-back and in central defence, with that versatility valuable to a squad facing three matches in the space of 10 days.

Adingra’s situation is also uncertain. The winger joined Ajax on loan at the start of September in an attempt to revive his form, but arrived in Amsterdam without being ready to play. He said he needed another two to three weeks to regain full fitness.

That means a call-up could come before Adingra has rebuilt his match sharpness with his club. Renard will have to decide whether to include him despite his lack of competitive minutes or allow him more time to make his first appearances for Ajax.

The decision is further complicated by the expected absence of Nicolas Pepe from this first international gathering.

Amad Diallo is the third player whose availability is in question. The Manchester United forward suffered an ankle injury and has yet to return to competitive action. Even if he makes his comeback soon, Renard must assess whether he would be fit enough to face Ghana.

Diallo’s ability to accelerate with the ball and create openings would offer an important attacking threat. Without him, Cote d’Ivoire may lack one of the players capable of making a decisive difference in the final third at the start of Renard’s new tenure.

His inclusion will depend on how the injury develops rather than simply on the coach’s preference.

The three cases do not necessarily threaten Renard’s first matches in charge, but they could shape his initial selection. He has alternatives, particularly in wide areas, where Yan Diomande remains under close consideration despite finding adaptation difficult at Real Madrid.

Wednesday’s squad announcement will therefore reveal not only Renard’s preferred players but also how he intends to manage those returning from injury or short of fitness. He must decide whether to select established figures immediately or use their possible absences to give other Elephants an opportunity.