Tuanzebe included as Auxerre name returns for Nice visit

Axel Tuanzebe has been named in the Auxerre squad for the first time ahead of their Ligue 1 match against Nice, L'Équipe reports. The Congolese central defender arrived at the club at the end of the transfer window and will be available for selection.

Fitness news around the group

Alongside Tuanzebe’s inclusion, L'Équipe also says left back Fredrik Oppegard returns after illness for the Lyon game, which Auxerre lost 1-3. However, central defender Elikya Legros is rated uncertain: he picked up a knee injury at the start of the week and was unable to take part in the team’s collective sessions afterwards.

The club still has multiple absences. L'Équipe lists long-term injuries to Bryan Okoh (knee), Marvin Senaya (hamstring) and Assane Diousse (knee). The paper adds that defender Telli Siwe is expected to miss another six to eight weeks due to an issue in the hamstring area.

Tuanzebe not expected to play 90

Head coach Will Still also cannot call on left back Sékou Fofana because he is not yet ready for the Nice fixture due to a pubalgia. Regarding Tuanzebe, the coach warned he won’t be able to play the full match, adding: “Il ne pourra bien sûr pas jouer les 90 minutes.”

With Auxerre at the bottom of the Ligue 1 table at the time of the report, a more complete defensive group—if Legros recovers—could be key. For now, the main question is whether Legros can make it into the starting setup in time.