Lyon’s Johann Lepenant to undergo tests on suspected ACL injury

As reported by L’Équipe, Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Johann Lepenant (21) is set to undergo tests on a suspected ACL injury on Monday. 

Lepenant suffered the injury whilst on international duty. The Lyon midfielder was substituted in the 13th minute against Austria U21 as France U21 lost for the first time under manager Thierry Henry. However, more concerning than the 2-0 defeat itself was the injury sustained by Lepenant. 

Henry voiced concern over Lepenant fitness pre-match

On Monday, the OL midfielder will meet with doctor Bertrand Sonnery-Cottet, who will give a precise diagnosis. Both the France U21 specialists, as well as those at Lyon both suspect that the 21-year-old has suffered an ACL injury, which could potentially rule him out for many months. 

“I want to wish him a good recovery,” said Henry in a press conference on Sunday. The France U21 manager had previously voiced concern regarding Lepenant’s fitness. The midfielder has fallen down the pecking order to the extent that he was not even included in the matchday squad for Les Gones when they beat Stade Rennais just before the international break. However, Lepenant has remained a fixture in Les Bleuets’ midfield. 

“Johann’s situation (at club level)  is increasingly worrying. For us, he continues to be more than good and we’ll continue to help him on a physical level whilst he’s on international duty, but it’s up to him and his entourage to solve the problem with Lyon,” said Henry. 

Within the context of Lesley Ugochukwu’s lack of gametime at Chelsea, Henry added that he believes that the fitness benefits of pre-season were starting to wear off. Lepenant’s injury wasn’t an inevitability, but in light of his lack of minutes, it was at least predictable. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle