A 20-player squad, without Théophile-Catherine

With only a few days left before the holidays, Stade Rennes’ medical staff had yet another busy week. While Kévin Théophile-Catherine was expected to return in the starting eleven for the first time since April 9th and the trip to Brest (2-0, 30th game week), Frédéric Antonetti’s « acting » left back was force to forfeit because of his fibula injury. To compensate for his absence, Frédéric Antonetti convoked young right back Dimitri Foulquier. On Sunday, however, there is little doubt Samuel Souprayen will be given the nod to start at the left back position.

Alexander Tettey will also be missing tomorrow evening, since the Norwegian international was also forced to renounce with yet another hamstring injury. Young Ghanaian midfielder Kamal Issah will therefore be completing Frédéric Antonetti’s squad. Another uncertainty remained during the week at the training centre of la Piverdière, regarding the presence of Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik, who is most likely to miss the game, according to Ouest-France today, with a thigh injury. John Boye should logically cover the centre-back position alongside Kader Mangane.

Upfront, Frank Julienne returns in this enlarged, 20-man squad, and could possibly profit of Abdoul Camara’s unavailability to be included on the match-sheet. After coming off the bench for the last thirty minutes against Nancy (0-2), Yacine Brahimi is expected to return in the starting line-up, replacing Jérôme Leroy.

Stade rennais FC

- Goalkeepers : Carrasso, Douchez
- Defenders : Boye, Danzé, Foulquier, Jebbour, Kana-Biyik, Mangane, Souprayen
- Midfielders : Dalmat, Issah, Lemoine, Leroy, Mandjeck, M’Vila
- Forwards : Boukari, Brahimi, Julienne, Montaño, Verhoek

• Injured : Apam (knee), Camara (thigh), Doumbia (thigh), Kembo (thigh), Marveaux (thigh), Tettey (thigh), Théophile-Catherine (fibula)
• Suspended : n/a
• Manager’s decision : Diallo, Dembélé, Kandji, Caro.