Strasbourg suffer as injuries take toll

RC Strasbourg

Bolton Wanderers FC defender Nicky Hunt will be absent for six weeks after suffering a hairline fracture to his left leg. The England Under-21 player, who will sit out the second leg of Bolton's UEFA Cup tie against PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv 1936 in Bulgaria, was injured during Saturday's 1-0 home Premiership win against Portsmouth FC. "He could well miss our next five matches," said manager Sam Allardyce. "The injury situation is a little worrying and the squad is looking thin in key areas. We'll cope with the situation and should be OK for Thursday's match in Bulgaria."

UC Sampdoria left-winger Max Tonetto is feeling the effects of a rib injury sustained during Sunday's 2-1 home defeat by AC Chievo Verona. The 30-year-old will be unavailable for up to ten days, ruling him out of the return leg of the UEFA Cup tie against Vitória FC on Thursday. The first game in Portugal finished 1-1.

KRC Genk's 3-1 weekend win against KSV Cercle Brugge has come at a price with three players being sidelined for "several weeks" after taking knocks in the Belgian league fixture. Koen Daerden (ankle ligament tear), Hans Cornelis (torn leg muscle) and Gonzague Vandooren (left ankle) will all miss Thursday's UEFA Cup visit of PFC Litex Lovech with the tie well poised following a 2-2 draw in Bulgaria.

Hibernian FC are hopeful midfielder Kevin Thomson will play against FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk on Thursday after the 20-year-old was carried off with a knee injury during Saturday's 3-1 victory at Motherwell FC. Manager Tony Mowbray sounded a positive note: "Kevin is a slight concern. There is a bit of swelling, but the knee feels solid enough, so we hope it is just a kick."