Claude Puel: Olympique Lyonnais Defender John Mensah Is AWOL

John Mensah has yet to return to club side Olympique Lyonnais after the World Cup, general manager of les Gones, Claude Puel, revealed in his press conference on Friday.

Mensah was expected back with the group on Thursday along with Brazil’s Michel Bastos, but although the South American reported for duty as expected, that was not the case with the Black Star.

“There is no news [from Mensah],” the former Lille and Monaco trainer indicated. “He is expected. When he returns he will be training with the Pro 2 squad.”

The Ghanaian is widely expected to leave Stade Gerland after spending last season on loan at Sunderland, and he will have done his chances of remaining with the Rhone Valley side little good after this episode.

Puel also revealed that those OL players who were in South Africa are still building up their fitness levels and won’t be prematurely thrown into action.

“Those who were at the World Cup continue to refine their preparation,” the coach indicated. “They will not be in the squad to play Juventus [on Saturday]. They will be in the squad to travel to England [for the Emirates Cup next weekend].”

It was additionally revealed that Cesar Delgado continues to struggle with a muscular injury and has no chance of travelling to the Arsenal-hosted tournament, while the situation regarding Lisandro Lopez is far more opaque. The Argentine could travel with the squad to London, but he could equally miss the first match of the season a week later.