Neymar injured for PSG at Angers

Posted Friday, November 03, 2017 by PA

Ligue 1 leaders Paris St Germain will be without record signing Neymar for Saturday's trip to Angers due to a thigh problem.

The world's most expensive player sustained the injury during the midweek Champions League thrashing of Anderlecht and will remain in the French capital after struggling during training on Friday.

Brazil forward Neymar has hit 11 goals in 12 games since moving to France from Barcelona for almost B£200million in the summer and it is unclear how long he will be sidelined for.

He will be one of four high-profile absentees for Unai Emery's men this weekend, with compatriot Marquinhos and Argentinian winger Angel Di Maria each given time off for the births of children and Thiago Motta out with a knee issue.

"Neymar trained this morning but he did not feel good, so we decided it was better for him to not make the trip," boss Emery told PSG's official website.

"Thiago Motta is not in the group. He continues to work with the physiotherapists.

"Marquinhos became a dad so he will spend time with his daughter and his wife. Di Maria will also become daddy today, so he stays in Paris."

PSG have a 100 per cent home record so far this season and remain unbeaten, form which has seen them build a four-point lead on champions Monaco.

In spite of that, they have drawn two of their previous three away games in the league, dropping points at Montpellier and fierce rivals Marseille.

Spaniard Emery expects a tough match against mid-table Angers and wants his players to use the disappointment of the recent draws to ensure they return home with three points on Saturday.

"It's a very important match. The matches in Angers are often difficult, it is a team that fights a lot," he added.

"They will do everything to cause us problems.

"In our last away games we conceded two draws in Montpellier and Marseille for a win in Dijon. These experiences must be used to better deal with Angers.

"We are all very focused and motivated to overcome the difficulties that will be proposed to us. "

Angers, in 12th position, have had a steady start to the season, although they have yet to win in front of their own fans and have drawn seven of their 11 Ligue 1 games.

Their hopes of taking something from PSG could rely heavily on Cameroon striker Karl Toko Ekambi who has struck four times in his previous five outings.