Lille's De Melo ruled out of Trabzonspor showdown
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Article summary
LOSC Lille Métropole will be deprived of Túlio De Melo for their decisive Group B showdown with Trabzonspor AŞ after the forward pulled a hamstring in weekend Ligue 1 action.
Article top media content
Article body
LOSC Lille Métropole forward Túlio De Melo will miss his side's all-important final UEFA Champions League Group B game with Trabzonspor AŞ after sustaining a hamstring injury in Les Dogues' 2-0 home win against Stade Brestois 29 on Saturday.
The Brazilian was replaced by Moussa Sow after just 26 minutes and the French champions confirmed he would be unavailable for "four to six weeks". It was just a fourth Ligue 1 appearance of the campaign for the 26-year-old who has been blighted by knee problems this season.
De Melo has been used as a substitute in Lille's last two Group B games, scoring in the 2-1 defeat at section leaders FC Internazionale Milano, but will sit out the 7 December visit of Trabzonspor who currently occupy second spot. A victory for the hosts, stationed a point behind the Turkish club, will ensure qualification for the knockout phase. Coach Rudi Garcia hopes to welcome back Benoît Pedretti (hip) and Marko Baša (shoulder) from injury for the match.
