Football
Jonathan Johnson, PSG correspondent 7y

Paris Saint-Germain without France international trio for Nantes clash

Paris Saint-Germain will be without injured France international trio Adrien Rabiot, Alphonse Areola and Layvin Kurzawa when they welcome Nantes to Parc des Princes on Saturday.

However, the French champions' coach, Unai Emery, does not blame Les Bleus boss Didier Deschamps for the thigh problem suffered by Rabiot when he made his debut in the 0-0 friendly draw against the Ivory Coast in Lens earlier this week.

Emery admitted during his pre-Nantes news conference at Camp des Loges "there is always a risk" of injury when players go on duty with their countries but believes such a high number of internationals proves "we are a big club."

"PSG has a lot of international players, which is good." Emery added. "However, when the players play more matches, the possibility of them getting injured is greater."

"I understand this possibility when they are on international duty, like with Rabiot, as it is just the way it is. I would prefer that none of our players play when they are with their countries so that they return to us in top condition but it is something you accept and work with."

As well as Rabiot's thigh injury, Areola is out with a sprained ankle and Kurzawa is still feeling pain in his thigh after injuring it on international duty earlier in the season.

Goalkeeper Areola is back in training and PSG staff hope he will be fit to make his return for next week's Champions League clash away at Arsenal, while left-back Kurzawa might be fit in time to travel to London. Midfielder Rabiot, though, is already a doubt for the remainder of 2016.

On the positive side of things for Emery, he expects to have all of his South American players available against Nantes after they resumed full training with the squad on Thursday afternoon.

"Our South Americans got back on Thursday and trained, mainly to warm down," he added. "We will take a decision on all of them after our final training session but I think they are all OK and fine to play against Nantes."

Javier Pastore could also make his long-awaited return to action against Les Canaris this weekend after Emery said "[he] has worked well with the squad lately. He is ready to play today, perhaps not 90 minutes but it is important for the team that Pastore is now ready for action."

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