Mohamed Simakan, the in-demand RC Strasbourg Alsace defender, has been ruled out for two months after injuring himself in the 1-0 victory over RC Lens last Saturday.
Whether playing centre-back or right-back, Simakan has helped le Racing to six clean sheets this season - four of which have come since December - and he was midway through another superlative display at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis when he had to make way for Stefan Mitrovic having picked up an injury.
The news will come to a blow to potential suitors - with AC Milan and RB Leipzig reportedly at the front of the queue for his services - as well as Strasbourg themselves, who had the following to say on the club's official website.
Watch: Highlights of Strasbourg's 1-0 win over Lens
"Following a blow received during the match against RC Lens, tests were carried out on Mohamed Simakan on Monday. He must undergo an arthroscopy in his knee which will keep him away from the field for a period of about two months."
Strasbourg academy graduate Simakan, who has turned out three times for France's Under-20 team but also remains eligible for Guinea, is therefore likely to return for the Round 25 meeting with FC Metz at the earliest.
