Bordeaux’s Samuel Kalu In Race Against Time For Monaco

The two French giants, with fourteen Ligue 1 titles between them, face off this weekend with the fit-again Nigerian international hoping to play a part for his side

Super Eagles Samuel Kalu has returned to training ahead of struggling Girondins Bordeaux’s tough clash against high-flying Monaco.

Despite injuries hampering how often he has contributed to Bordeaux’s cause this term, Kalu has been one of the club’s most influential stars in a turbulent campaign for Les Girondins.

Jean-Louis Gasset’s men sit 15th on the Ligue 1 table, having amassed a meagre 36 points from 32 matches and are currently on a three-game losing run.

The last time Bordeaux earned a victory was a month ago in the 3-1 away win at Dijon, which was Kalu’s last game before suffering his latest injury.

But the 23-year-old returned to training on Wednesday with his side preparing to host third-place Monaco at the Stade Matmut-Atlantique on Sunday.

The visitors are high on confidence, boasting four in their last six league matches, and were the better side when they hosted Bordeaux earlier in the campaign. Niko Kovač’s men ran away with a 4-0 victory at the Stade Louis II in November.

But Kalu could help Sunday’s hosts shock Monaco should he be fit enough to face the eight-time French champions.

The Nigerian playmaker has contributed five goals (four goals and an assist) in just 13 starts for Bordeaux this season.