Paris (AFP)

The Spanish defender of Paris SG Juan Bernat, left injured against Metz (1-0) on Wednesday, suffers from a rupture of a cruciate ligament of the left knee, said Thursday his club which is preparing to find its star Kylian Mbappé, affected in early September by the Covid-19.

"The examinations carried out (Thursday) morning confirm the isolated rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of the left knee", announced the PSG, without specifying a period of unavailability.

The left side, replacing at the kick-off, came out in the 86th minute, helped by two healers, 23 minutes after coming into play.

"I expect a big injury", conceded in the evening his trainer Thomas Tuchel, deprived of alternatives to this post.

Layvin Kurzawa being suspended for six matches for his involvement in an early fight in the "Clasico" lost against Marseille on Sunday (1-0), he only has young Dutchman Mitchel Bakker left as a professional replacement for the Spaniard.

Bernat, 27 years old (11 caps), established himself as the holder on the left flank of the Parisian defense, through several notable performances, especially in the Champions League.

On the attack front, PSG was reassuring about its star striker Kylian Mbappé, tested positive for Covid-19 in early September, who continues his individual work.

"The exams and tests carried out on Wednesday are normal," the club said.

Tuchel hopes to be able to line up "Kyky" from Sunday in Nice: "We will perhaps do the same as with Angel, Marquinhos and Mauro (also positive, and holders as soon as they return, editor's note). We will decide on Saturday but I hope to be able to count on him, declared the German, who obtained in extremis Wednesday his first success of the season after two initial defeats.

The technician will have to manage, again, many absences in Nice, with the suspensions of Neymar, Kurzawa, Leandro Paredes and Abdou Diallo.

The rookie Alessandro Florenzi, absent against the Garnets because not qualified, makes his return.

Hit with ischios, and absent against Metz, the Italian international Marco Verratti is expected Friday in the group, said the club.

Thilo Kehrer, who also withdrew on Wednesday due to hamstring pain, is due to resume the individual exercise on Friday.

It remains uncertain for the trip to the French Riviera.

© 2020 AFP