De Melo signed off for Lille openers

Brazilian striker Túlio De Melo will miss the first half of LOSC Lille Métropole's UEFA Europa League group-stage campaign after sustaining a knee injury on Saturday.

Persistent problems
The 24-year-old was taken off just before half-time in the 1-0 league win against FC Sochaux-Montbéliard, with the club confirming that he would be out of action "for four to six weeks". Despite being troubled with knee problems for much of the season, the former Le Mans UC 72 player had appeared in eight of his side's nine competitive games this term, scoring three goals in UEFA Europa League qualifying. Lille host Valencia CF in their Group B opener on Thursday.