Benzema sidelined for two months
Friday, November 10, 2006
Article summary
Olympique Lyonnais have lost teenage striker Karim Benzema to a torn thigh muscle which is likely to keep him out of action for club and country until 2007.
Article body
Olympique Lyonnais have lost Karim Benzema to a torn thigh muscle which is likely to keep the teenage striker out of action until the new year.
France call
The 18-year-old has enjoyed a tremendous start to the season scoring six goals, including two in the UEFA Champions League. Such form earned him a call for France's squad to face Greece in a friendly next week but he is certain to withdraw after limping off with 16 minutes gone of Lyon's 2-1 victory against Valenciennes FC tonight. The club's medical staff immediately confirmed the extent of the injury and claimed he would be sidelined for up to two months.
Govou injury
Fellow forward Sidney Govou pulled a thigh muscle in the same game and faces two to three weeks out. He will also miss France's friendly and is a major doubt for Lyon's next Group E game at Real Madrid CF on 21 November.
