Rennes - Marseille: Mbia will be absent

Didier Deschamps will have very limited options to form his centre-back pair this week-end, for the trip to Rennes. Already without Souleymane Diawara, absent for the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal, the Marseille manager will have to cope without Stéphane Mbia, injured on Sunday against Le Havre (3-1, a.e.t) in the Coupe de France.
After a serie of examinations, the former Stade Rennes player has been diagnosed with “important damage to the junction of the quadriceps tendon”, which will force him to a month of rest.

His absence will allow Nicolas Nkoulou to reappear at centre-back besides Rod Fanni, who has been put in this position since Azpilicueta return to the right back slot. Unless Deschamps prefers Djimi Traoré, another former Rennais, if Jérémy Morel was to be back at left back. Also injured against Le Havre (he received a knock on the ankle), Lucho should return to training during the week.