Olympique Lyonnais defender Eric Abidal will miss at least the next four weeks of action after tearing a muscle.

Buttock injury
The French international left the pitch during the second half of Lyon's 2-0 Ligue 1 win at Toulouse FC yesterday complaining of a sharp pain. Today, scans have revealed that the former Lille OSC player has torn a muscle in his left buttock and that he will be out of action for the next month.

Important games
The 25-year-old will thus be out of action for Lyon's UEFA Champions League trip to AC Sparta Praha next week and will most likely be unable to win a second cap for France in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus on 9 and 13 October respectively.

Regular choice
Abidal has been a regular in Paul Le Guen's side since joining Lyon in the summer.