Galtier furious as Gradel chosen

Saint-tienne - Saint-Etienne coach Christophe Galtier expressed his anger on Thursday at the call-up of striker Max-Alain Gradel to the Ivory Coast squad for the Africa Cup of Nations despite an injury.

"Max hurt himself at the back of a thigh during a sprint in training and our club doctor diagnosed an injury requiring four weeks recovery," said Galtier.

"We've worked together for five years and he (doctor) has never been wrong," said Galtier, whose side are fourth in Ligue 1 five points behind leaders Marseille.

"He (Gradel) travelled to the Ivory Coast without the tests he underwent here. I dare hope that he won't aggravate his injury.

"He has to act responsibly. It's his problem and it's no longer mine but when he returns it will become my problem again," the coach continued.

"I hope that taking this risk won't handicap our team afterwards in the league.

"There are always risks in competitions or in the league but I'd like to remind Max that he returned two years ago with a knee injury which was apparently 'nothing' but required surgery. We'll see ..."

He added however that midfielder Ismale Diomande should be fit to compete in the African continental showpiece in Equatorial Guinea from January 17 to February 8.

"As for Ismael Diomande, who also had a knock, his injury requires a short period recovery. We know that he will be fit for the CAN."

Ivory Coast - who have developed a reputation as chokers having only won the title just once in 1992 and finished runners-up in 2006 and 2012 - are in Group D alongside Mali, Cameroon and Guinea.