Lens defender Jonathan Gradit will be sidelined for several months, the Sang et Or club has announced. The 33-year-old veteran suffered a closed fracture of the tibia and fibula in his right leg during training and was expected to return this weekend to face Angers after serving a suspension against Strasbourg last week (1-0).
“We don’t know the exact severity, but it’s not insignificant. The doctors saw immediately,” Pierre Sage explained earlier today at a press conference. “Our thoughts are with him and his family. We will manage this situation with them. He was taken to hospital because it was clear right away. Everyone is close to Jo, he has a great relationship with the staff and his teammates… The important thing is that he receives good care and treatment.”
A key player in Lens’ defense since his arrival in 2019, Gradit has started in each of his 10 appearances for the Artesian club this season. “Everyone is very touched, we have a lot of empathy in this kind of situation,” said Sage emotionally.
Starting in Lens’ three-man defense and scoring his team’s only goal against Strasbourg on the last matchday, 20-year-old Ismaelo Ganiou could therefore keep his place on Sunday against SCO.