Mamour Ndiaye backed to make first Saint-Etienne start at Red Star

Mamour Ndiaye is expected to make his first start for AS Saint-Etienne against Red Star on Saturday, with team-mates confident the young goalkeeper is ready to replace the injured Gautier Larsonneur.

Larsonneur has been ruled out of the trip to Stade Bauer after suffering a right-knee injury during the match against Rodez. His absence is expected to give Ndiaye his first opportunity to start under manager Ian Cathro.

The Senegalese goalkeeper came on after Larsonneur was forced off in the previous match and may now take the next step in his development with the club. The fixture in the Paris region will present a demanding challenge, but Ndiaye has the backing of the Saint-Etienne squad.

New Zealand international Ben Old spoke positively about his team-mate in his pre-match press conference, highlighting Ndiaye’s ability, character and rapid integration into the Saint-Etienne dressing room.

Replacing a goalkeeper during a match is difficult, particularly when the change follows an injury. Ndiaye had to adapt quickly against Rodez, but Old understands the circumstances in which his colleague was brought into the game.

The midfielder is nevertheless confident Ndiaye can meet the demands of Saturday’s match. Old also stressed that the collective support of the team will be important in helping the goalkeeper deal with the responsibility of a possible first start.

Ndiaye appears to have settled quickly within the group since joining Saint-Etienne. Old also referred to the contribution of the club’s summer signings, whose arrival has helped create a fresh dynamic in the squad.

According to Old, the new players have raised daily standards, particularly during training, while also strengthening relationships between the team’s members. That cohesion will be important at Stade Bauer, where Saint-Etienne will face a Red Star side described as being in confident form.

Old also offered an insight into Ndiaye’s personality. The goalkeeper is highly vocal when organising his defence during matches, although he is considerably quieter away from the pitch.

His communication is regarded as an important part of his role, especially in a game where small details could prove decisive. Old also values Ndiaye’s calmness and self-assurance within the group.

The New Zealander believes that balance reflects the current atmosphere in the Saint-Etienne dressing room. The club’s players will now have to provide Ndiaye with the same support on the pitch if he is selected.

Cathro has already expressed confidence in Ndiaye’s ability to start a game, and Old’s comments reinforce the backing he has received from within the squad.

Should the expected selection be confirmed, Ndiaye will have the chance to reach a significant milestone in his Saint-Etienne career. He will be tasked with stepping in for Larsonneur in a Ligue 2 match that is important to the club’s ambitions.

The fixture will be Saint-Etienne’s ninth league match of the season. With the manager and his team-mates behind him, Ndiaye must now take the opportunity and respond when called upon.