© EuroFootball.com
The forward of the French champions club Karim Benzema may be sidelined for two months due to a recurring muscle injury.
The talented player had already been out for a long time due to the same injury sustained on November 10th, and his condition was recently worsened during the team's training session.
"It looks much more serious than initially thought," said Lyon's head coach Gerard Houllier. "It's a recurrence of the same injury. I think he won't be able to play for six to eight weeks."
Despite Lyon's leading position in the French Ligue 1 championship, the five-time national champions are eager for K.Benzema to return to the lineup by February 21st, when the French will face Roma in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 in Italy.
However, the young forward is likely to miss the first leg of the prestigious European tournament's round of 16, but could be fit to return to Lyon in two weeks for the second leg match at Stade Gerland on March 6th.
Lyon's strategist G.Houllier may be somewhat relieved, as the Brazilian forward Fred has recovered from injury and returned to the squad, and will be available for the first matches of the second half of the season against Toulouse.
Meanwhile, another forward, Norwegian legionnaire John Carew, is reportedly set to be sold this month. Several Spanish top division clubs, English Premier League teams, and French championship clubs have shown interest in the former Valencia attacking leader.
Lyon currently leads the French championship with 50 points after 19 rounds, holding the top spot and leading closest pursuers Lens by as much as 15 points.
