PSG - NICE

(kick-off at 16:00 GMT on Saturday)

Neymar is out for around four weeks with a left adductor injury sustained in the Coupe de France victory at Caen on Wednesday evening and will definitely miss the first leg of the club's Champions League Round of 16 tie at former club Barcelona on Tuesday, while it will be touch and go as to whether the world's most expensive player will be back in time for the return leg in the French capital.

Pochettino said: "I spoke to Neymar after his medical tests. He had already made it clear how sad he is not to be able to help the team in the games to come. We'll do everything we can to get him back as quickly as possible and make sure that he's good from a mental standpoint. He's a very strong lad, someone who you get attached to, who gives everything for the team. Every day he shows his commitment to the club. It's a pleasure to work with him and we wish him a prompt recovery in order to help the team and so he can do what he does best, and that's play football."

Also missing for the Nice match is Marco Verratti, still feeling the effects of the hip bruised when Dimitri Payet was sent off in last Sunday's Classique. With Angel Di Maria and Rafinha also injured, PSG are light in the creative department.

Pochettino commented: "Marco Verratti is unavailable for tomorrow's game as he is still feeling the injury he suffered against Marseille. We'll see in the days to come. We can't go back in time and we have two creative players unavailable but we have a quality squad and we have every confidence in this squad in order to find the necessary answers, whether it's in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France or in the Champions League."

"The match against Nice is our priority"

With the champions third in the Ligue 1 Uber Eats table, Saturday's game is massive for Pochettino's side and thoughts of Barcelona will have to be set to one side. The Argentinian said: "The match against Nice is our priority and it's a very important game for us. We need to send out the strongest and fittest team we have available in order to win the game. Since my arrival, the coaching staff and I know that every game is important. A victory will give us confidence for the following match."

Nice are without massive players themselves, with long-term absentees Dante and Jeff Reine-Adélaïde joined on the sidelines by Youcef Atal and Kasper Dolberg, amongst others. Coach Adrian Ursea hopes to have Atal and Dolberg back with the squad following the Round 26 match against Metz.

Nice haven't won at PSG since November 2009 but come to the capital on a high following victory over Angers in the league and Nîmes in the Coupe de France. Rony Lopes, on loan from Sevilla, scored twice in the midweek Cup win, sparking hopes that he'll finally rediscover his best form.

Ursea: "We've just won back-to-back games"

After victory at Nîmes, Ursea commented: "We've just won back-to-back games, something we hadn't managed for a long time. We're trying to be more consistent in our performances and get results. It's only by doing that that you can boost your confidence levels."

Probable Teams:

PSG: Rico; Florenzi, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Kurzawa; Danilo, Gueye, Paredes; Sarabia, Icardi, Mbappé

Nice: Benitez; Pelmard, Todibo, Saliba, Kamara; Claude-Maurice, Boudaoui, Lees-Melou; Rony, Myziane, Gouiri

>> Neymar out for about four weeks