Mahmoud Jaber Expected to Miss ASSE Host Against Rodez AF

AS Saint-Étienne midfielder Mahmoud Jaber will likely miss the club’s upcoming Ligue 2 fixture against Rodez AF due to a lingering injury, according to local regional reporting. The 26-year-old defensive midfielder sat out a recent 5-1 friendly win over FC Sion and is expected to need another ten days before returning to full training.

Injury Timeline and Recovery for the ASSE Midfielder

Jaber has made just a single Ligue 2 appearance for Saint-Étienne this season, coming during the fifth matchday against Montpellier. Regional newspaper reports indicate that the Israel international missed Friday’s friendly encounter at the club’s training ground and remains sidelined as he recovers from fitness issues. Medical staff have targeted a return to competitive action in roughly ten days, ruling him out of the immediate squad preparations.

Ligue 2 Standings and Fixture Details at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard

Saint-Étienne enters the upcoming round sitting at the top of the Ligue 2 table with 16 points collected from their opening seven fixtures, powered by five wins, one draw, and one defeat. Manager Olivier Dall’Oglio’s squad holds a two-point advantage over second-place Red Star and a three-point gap ahead of Reims. The fixture against Rodez AF is officially scheduled for Saturday, October 10, with kickoff set for 8:00 PM local time (20:00 UTC+2) at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard. Broadcast coverage for viewers in France will be handled by beIN Sports 1.

Rodez Prepares for Forez Trip Amid Training Ground Concerns

Opponents Rodez AF arrive in the Loire department facing distinct challenges of their own. Sitting 14th in the standings with seven points from two wins, one draw, and four losses, the Aveyron club has conceded 16 goals across their first seven outings. Beyond league struggles, Rodez manager Didier Santini has had to manage training sessions under difficult conditions. Reports from local media outlets covering the Aveyron region highlight that the club’s training pitches at Vabre have suffered severe turf degradation caused by persistent summer heat, water shortages, and fungal damage. Santini previously noted the ongoing risks to player safety, while municipal sports officials acknowledged that the facilities have not undergone a complete renovation in more than 25 years.

Ticket Sales and Matchday Access in Saint-Étienne

Demand for the fixture remains high, with club ticketing figures showing that more than 30,000 seats have already been secured by supporters for the Saturday night encounter. Saint-Étienne officials have also organized fan events surrounding the match, including guided stadium tours and historical exhibits at the Musée des Verts. Public transit options to the venue include the T1 tramway line stopping at Roger Rocher, the T3 line serving the stadium directly, and local bus routes operating near the Parc des Sports de l’Étivallière.