Cissokho blow for Lyon and France

Aly Cissokho will miss France's UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying openers against Belarus and Bosnia and Herzegovina with a hamstring injury that could also hamper Olympique Lyonnais' European plans.

The former FC Porto left-back was taken off at half-time during Lyon's 1-0 win against Stade Brestois 29 at the weekend and said: "It's a torn muscle that will require a three-week break. I have the same injury as [Lyon captain] Cris had. It's tough for me. It's the first time I have been ruled out for this long."

The lay-off means Cissokho, 22, will not be in the running for the Group D home game against Belarus on 3 September or the trip to Sarajevo four days later, having been capped for the first time in the 2-1 friendly loss to Norway earlier this month. Matchday 1 of the UEFA Champions League group stage may also come too soon on 14/15 September, with Lyon's berth confirmed after they finished as runners-up in Ligue 1 last season.

Meanwhile, Les Gones have announced that Brazilian defender Anderson has left the club with a year still to run on his contract. The 30-year-old joined from SL Benfica in June 2007, but has not featured since making 12 league appearances in his first season. He was loaned to São Paulo FC and Cruzeiro EC in recent campaigns.