Marseille's Rémy sidelined for Inter visit

Olympique de Marseille striker Loïc Rémy has been ruled out of Wednesday's UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg against FC Internazionale Milano with a hamstring injury.

Rémy was substituted at half-time during his side's 3-1 French Cup defeat of fourth-tier FC Bourg-Péronnas in midweek after damaging his right hamstring, and scans have since revealed the injury will sideline him for 21 days. The 25-year-old French international thus faces a race against time to be fit for the second leg in Milan on 13 March.

The news will come as a blow to Didier Deschamps' team, for whom Rémy is their leading scorer with nine Ligue 1 goals, as well as France, who will also have to make do without the forward for their friendly against Germany on 29 February. "It's harsh," said OM general manager, José Anigo. "He is our top scorer and his understanding with Mathieu Valbuena allowed us to be very strong offensively."

Marseille can take some comfort, however, from the return from Africa Cup of Nations duty of André and Jordan Ayew, as well as that of Brandão, who has scored five goals in six appearances since being recalled last month from his loan spell at Grêmio FBPA.