Auxerre ailed by knee injuries

Defenders Younes Kaboul and Bacary Sagna have been ruled out of the start of AJ Auxerre's UEFA Cup campaign with knee injuries.

Fateful scans
Scans taken in Paris today revealed that the duo have both sustained serious knee injuries, ruling Sagna out for two months and Kaboul out for six. Full-back Sagna sprained ligaments in his left knee during Auxerre's 2-0 weekend win against AS Monaco FC, while Kaboul ruptured cruciate ligaments in his right knee during the same match.

French success
Both players will miss the beginning of the French Cup winners' UEFA Cup campaign, which starts in the first round on 15 September. Central defender Kaboul recently played in France's triumphant team at the recent UEFA European Under-19 Championship finals in Northern Ireland.