Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby has picked up a knock while on international duty and is unlikely to figure for France against Belarus.
Gunners midfielder nursing muscle complaint
Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby has picked up a knock while on international duty and is unlikely to figure for France against Belarus on Tuesday.
The midfielder has been blighted by injuries in recent years, severely restricting his involvement for club and country.
It appeared as though he had put those troubles to one side after starting the domestic season in fine form for the Gunners.
He was, however, forced to sit out training with the French national side on Monday.
An unspecified muscle problem is causing Diaby problems and has all but ruled him out of a 2014 World Cup qualifier with Belarus.
Struggle
The setback could not be more untimely for the 26-year-old, who netted the winner in a meeting with Finland on Friday.
"He took a bad knock (against Finland) and won't train today," admitted Les Bleus coach Didier Deschamps, while also revealing that Gael Clichy is nursing a complaint.
"They both will struggle to make it."
Diaby's Arsenal colleague Olivier Giroud is back in contention after missing the Finland game, but Deschamps has offered no indication as to whether he will be drafted back into the starting XI.
