In Top Form Before Sturm Clash! France Star Ready After World Cup Vacation

SK Sturm Graz faces an away match against Fenerbahce on Wednesday in the 3rd qualifying round for the UEFA Champions League (from 8:00 PM in the LIVE ticker >>>).

The Graz team will face a top-class squad. Superstar N'Golo Kanté (35) recently missed the 2nd round against Gornik Zabrze after his World Cup vacation. The 2018 World Champion was part of France's squad at the major tournament but did not make a single appearance.

Foda's Protégé Is Also Fit

"N'Golo Kanté is back and he is in top form. He's already had his tenth training session and will be in the squad," says head coach Ismail Kartal.

New signing and Foda's protégé Vedat Muriqi (32) will also return from his injury; the Kosovar is considered a reliable veteran goal scorer (23 goals in 37 LaLiga games last season for Mallorca).

Will Ederson Play?

Ederson, the former Manchester City goalie, could also return to goal; he was already on the bench recently. "We will decide tomorrow who plays in goal," says the coach.

He is certainly wary of Sturm: "We are aware of their strengths, but we have prepared very well as a team. Under their new coach, they play in a different system. They are a young and dynamic team and possess great fighting spirit."