Lyon confirm Malick Fofana undergoes ankle surgery

Olympique Lyonnais have confirmed that Belgian forward Malick Fofana has undergone surgery on his right ankle, according to an official medical statement released on Monday.

The procedure comes after the 20-year-old’s recent return from a long injury layoff, which had kept him sidelined since October following an incident involving Ismaël Doukouré during a Ligue 1 match against RC Strasbourg. Fofana had only just resumed limited action, featuring briefly in recent fixtures.

He made an eight-minute appearance in the Europa League round of 16 second leg against Celta Vigo before adding another short outing of five minutes in Ligue 1 against AS Monaco.

These appearances marked his gradual reintegration into the squad after months of recovery.

However, Lyon confirmed that further medical intervention was required. “Malick Fofana underwent minor surgery on his right ankle to remove the hardware inserted during his operation last October,” the club said in its statement.

The latest development raises fresh uncertainty over the player’s availability, particularly as Lyon prepare for their upcoming league fixture against Angers SCO.

The club has not provided a timeline for his return or indicated whether he will be fit for selection in the immediate term.

Fofana’s campaign has been significantly disrupted by injury. He has made 10 appearances in Ligue 1 this season, scoring two goals, while also featuring four times in the Europa League.

His limited playing time reflects the challenges he has faced in maintaining fitness and consistency throughout the campaign.

As Lyon continue their season, attention will now turn to Fofana’s recovery process and how quickly he can return to full fitness.

For both the player and the club, managing his rehabilitation carefully will be crucial in ensuring he can contribute effectively in the remaining fixtures.