Nonda's season to start late
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
Article summary
Striker Shabani Nonda will miss the start of AS Monaco FC's Ligue 1 and UEFA Champions League campaigns.
Article body
Right thigh
The Congolese forward suffered the injury to his right thigh at Monaco's training camp in Brittany and is expected to be sidelined for four weeks, meaning he will sit out their opening matches both at home and in Europe.
Misses first leg
Monaco's Ligue 1 campaign begins against AS Saint-Etienne on 7 August and they face a UEFA Champions League third qualifying round tie the following week, with a first-leg match on either 10 or 11 August. Nonda may be fit in time for the second leg, on 24 or 25 August.
Rodriguez knock
The player missed six months of last season after sustaining a serious knee injury last August but, fortunately, this time the problem is less severe. Monaco captain Julien Rodriguez, meanwhile, has hurt his left knee but should be available for the Saint-Etienne game.
