Bordeaux head coach Vladimir Petković has blamed Gideon Mensah's recent struggles on the forced one week quarantine for representing Ghana in a red-list country.
Mensah has lost his place in the Bordeaux starting lineup after playing in the World Cup qualifier for Ghana against South Africa in Johannesburg in September.
Since South Africa were red-listed by France at the time, Mensah had to quarantine for seven days.
That has resulted in Mensah warning the bench often, playing just 21 minutes in Bordeaux's last four games.
"Gideon Mensah had difficulties when he left with his national team (Black Stars) after he had isolation, and he left with his national team and has not played.
"These are difficult times for a player who has a significant weight. I am very happy with him, I have seen him grow in recent days. This competition with Mangas can be positive because we need to everybody," Petkovic said.
Mensah who is owned by Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg has made a total of four appearances.