AS Saint-Étienne prepares to face USL Dunkerque this weekend in Ligue 2 action, manager Eirik Horneland faces key roster decisions following a mix of returning personnel and late fitness doubts, according to local reports from outlets including Peuple Vert and Le Progrès. The club heads into the fixture looking to maintain momentum near the top of the standings after a string of positive domestic results.
Squad Reinforcements and Key Returns
The fixture brings welcome relief for Saint-Étienne’s attacking depth. According to reports from Peuple Vert, striker Joshua Duffus has returned to full training after missing nearly a month due to a hamstring injury. Duffus provides a natural focal point at center-forward that the squad missed during recent fixtures. In addition, winger Zuriko Davitashvili is back in training and operational after sitting out the previous weekend due to a virus.
However, the club remains without several other figures. Djylian N’Guessan and Lucas Stassin remain sidelined, while defensive options Chico Lamba and Lassana Traoré are not expected back until 2026, as noted in regional coverage. Portuguese defender Joao Ferreira is also absent from the traveling squad for this weekend’s fixture.
Midfield and Defensive Adjustments
At the back, Gautier Larsonneur is expected to resume his role as starting goalkeeper and captain after resting during the team’s Coupe de France fixture against Ecotay Moingt where Brice Maubleu wore the armband. Dennis Appiah is projected to slot in at right-back to cover for the missing Ferreira, joining central defenders Maxime Bernauer and Mickaël Nadé alongside left-back Ebenezer Annan, according to preview reports.
In midfield, Mahmoud Jaber has recovered from a toe infection that kept him out of the cup match and is expected to start alongside Florian Tardieu. Igor Miladinovic is tipped to complete the midfield trio, edging out Aïmen Moueffek. Moueffek returned to group training alongside Jaber on Thursday following minor fitness concerns but remains a late decision for the starting lineup.
Standings Context and Next Steps
The fixture marks a critical stretch for Saint-Étienne as the club looks to cement its position in the upper tier of the Ligue 2 table and chase league leaders ESTAC Troyes. Following the weekend clash in the Nord, the team will play its final league fixtures of the calendar year before the winter break.
Official match details and broadcast information are available through regional sports schedules, with kickoff times aligned to local French time zones.
