Mohamed Abdelmonem starts fifth successive Nice match against Strasbourg

Mohamed Abdelmonem has been named in the Nice starting XI for their French league meeting with Strasbourg, extending his run of consecutive starts to five matches.

The defender has retained his place for the sixth round of the competition as Nice look to build on the victory they secured in their final game before the international break.

Nice are 15th in the table with five points, while Strasbourg sit 10th on seven points.

Abdelmonem’s only appearance outside the starting line-up this season came in the opening round, when he was introduced as a substitute for two minutes.

Nice issued a statement during the international break confirming that Abdelmonem had left the Egypt squad before their match against South Africa. The club said his departure had been agreed with Egypt’s coaching staff and thanked the national team for its co-operation.

The 25-year-old did not play in Egypt’s opening qualifying match against Angola. He also did not travel with the squad to South Sudan because the game was being played on an artificial-turf pitch.

Nice said it had been concerned Abdelmonem could suffer an injury, particularly after he missed last season while recovering from cruciate ligament surgery.