Mamour Ndiaye is expected to make his first start for AS Saint-Etienne against Red Star on Saturday, with team-mate Ben Old expressing confidence in the young Senegalese goalkeeper.
Gautier Larsonneur has been ruled out of the Ligue 2 fixture at stade Bauer after suffering a right-knee injury against Rodez. His absence should give Ndiaye the opportunity to start under manager Ian Cathro.
The 22-year-old came on after Larsonneur was forced off in the previous match and now faces the prospect of taking on a more significant role in a demanding away game. He will have the backing of the Saint-Etienne dressing room as he prepares for the potential first start of his career for the club.
Old, the New Zealand international, praised Ndiaye’s ability and personality while acknowledging the difficulty of being introduced during a match because of an injury to the established goalkeeper. Replacing a goalkeeper at short notice requires immediate adjustment, and Ndiaye had to respond quickly against Rodez.
Despite the circumstances, Old is confident his team-mate can handle the responsibility at Red Star. He also stressed the importance of collective support, with the entire squad expected to help Ndiaye settle into the game and provide protection in front of him.
The anticipated selection would represent an important step for Ndiaye since joining Saint-Etienne. It would also give him the chance to show that he can perform under pressure while Larsonneur recovers.
Ndiaye has settled quickly
Old also highlighted how quickly Ndiaye has become part of the Saint-Etienne group. The goalkeeper is said to have established himself comfortably within the dressing room, alongside the summer recruits who have brought fresh energy to the squad.
According to Old, the new arrivals have raised the level of competition in training and helped strengthen relationships between the players. That unity could prove important at stade Bauer, where Saint-Etienne will face a Red Star side described as being in confident form.
The New Zealander offered a further insight into Ndiaye’s character. While the goalkeeper is quiet away from the pitch, he is notably vocal during matches and communicates clearly with the defenders in front of him.
That ability to organise the defence is an important quality, particularly in a game where small details may determine the outcome. Old also appreciates Ndiaye’s calmness and assurance within the group, describing an attitude that reflects the current balance in the Saint-Etienne dressing room.
Cathro has already provided reassurance about Ndiaye’s ability to start a match, and Old’s assessment adds to the support surrounding the young goalkeeper. If selected against Red Star, Ndiaye will be asked to fill the role left by Larsonneur in a fixture that matters to Saint-Etienne’s Ligue 2 ambitions.
The listed odds for the match are 2.05 for a Saint-Etienne win, 3.30 for a draw and 2.95 for a Red Star victory.