Paul Pogba left out of Monaco squad for Nottingham Forest friendly after head coach made stark admission about French star's fitness following doping ban layoff

Pogba, the former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder, and Fati, previously on the books at Barcelona, arrived at Monaco this summer to much fanfare. However, their impact on the field is yet to be seen. Hutter had already hinted last week that the pair were struggling to reach optimal fitness levels amid limited competitive action in the recent past. The coach has urged patience, insisting that both stars will be eased into action at the appropriate time rather than being rushed.

Saturday’s match against Nottingham Forest was seen by many as a potential opportunity to finally catch a glimpse of Pogba and Fati in action in Monaco colours. Yet, when the team sheets were released, it was clear that the wait would continue.

For Pogba, the situation marks another chapter in a long and frustrating battle to get back to playing. After serving his doping ban of 18 months, the 2018 World Cup winner struggled to find new employers but was ultimately bailed out by Monaco, who are determined to upgrade their roster before taking on Europe's elites in the Champions League next season.

Monaco still have two pre-season friendlies remaining before they kick off their Ligue 1 campaign. The squad is scheduled to face Arminia Bielefeld on July 26, followed by a clash with Ajax on August 3. These two fixtures could represent the final opportunities for Pogba and Fati to gain a few minutes under their belt before the club’s season opener against Le Havre on August 17.