Monaco – Monaco coach Claudio Ranieri announced on Wednesday that Colombian striker Radamel Falcao, the club's record signing, will return to the squad for Friday's Ligue 1 game against Valenciennes.
Falcao has missed his team's last four matches – all of which Monaco have won – due to a minor thigh injury, but is fit to feature at the Stade Louis II, where the principality side know a win will take them provisionally to the top of the table before current leaders Paris Saint-Germain face Lille on Sunday.
“Falcao will be in the squad. After that, I will decide,” said Ranieri. “I will see whether he starts or is on the bench next to me. I have two days to think about it, but he can play.”
Falcao's absence has led to speculation in some media that the striker, recruited for €60 million in the summer from Atletico Madrid, could seek a move away from the club in January.
He has scored nine goals in 14 Ligue 1 appearances in the current campaign. – Sapa-AFP