Pay per Head: Abidal could return to action for Monaco

Monaco coach Claudio Ranieri and pay per head services expect captain Eric Abidal to return to action when his side take on Lyon on Sunday.

Abidal did not play in Monaco’s last two matches – a 2-0 loss to Saint-Etienne and a 2-1 victory over Sochaux – due to a viral infection that left him briefly hospitalized, and price per head services saw how concerned many fans were when this happened.

The France defender, who in 2012 received a liver transplant, returned to training before the success against struggling Sochaux, but was not seen as being fit to participate.

But Ranieri and pay per head services are happy with the progress made by the player since then and expects the former Barcelona man to return against a club that he played for between 2004 and 2007.

“Eric Abidal had a good week,” Ranieri said. “I have yet to decide but I think he will play.”

Price per head services learned that Ranieri’s players won’t have the services of Jeremy Toulalan – another former Lyon star – because of suspension, but the Italian expects his men to perform despite the experienced midfielder’s absence.

“Everyone knows the strength and quality of Toulalan. The others will make more efforts in his absence,” Ranieri added.

Lyon, who are in fifth-place, are in contention for Ligue 1’s third and final UEFA Champions League qualifying place after they only lost one time in 13 league matches.

The coach knows that his side will face a very difficult test from Lyon – seven time French champions – and pay per head services can fully understand his reason for concern.

“Lyon had a difficult start to the season, but since then I see a team moving forward,” he explained.

“Lyon have so many good young players.”

Pay per head services hope to see Abidal make a great comeback, but know that many fans are very concerned over his fitness. Still, there is plenty of optimism, and developments on the player will be very closely monitored.