Hamstring blow for Auxerre defender Hengbart

Defender Cédric Hengbart is expected to miss AJ Auxerre's critical UEFA Champions League Group G home match against AC Milan on 23 November after injuring a hamstring.

The 30-year-old right-back sustained the problem during Wednesday's 2-1 victory over AFC Ajax which got Auxerre off the mark in the section, and has been ruled out for a month. The loss of the experienced Hengbart – ever-present in this Group G campaign – will be a blow to coach Jean Fernandez, who is already without Alain Traoré (adductor) and Ireneusz Jeleń (knee), plus long-term absentees Alexandre Licata (ankle) and Yaya Sanogo (broken shin).

Auxerre are only two points adrift of second-placed Milan, with Ajax one away from either team in third. The French Ligue 1 side will hope to have Hengbart back when they go to already-qualified Real Madrid CF on 8 December.