Neymar sidelined for ten weeks with foot injury

PARIS - Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain announced on Wednesday that Neymar's foot injury will see the Brazilian forward sidelined for the next ten weeks, meaning he will miss both legs of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie against Premier League side Manchester United.

In a statement, PSG said that the club had gathered a group of world-renowned medical experts at the Ooredoo Training Center to carry out a thorough review of the injury to Neymar's right foot.

Neymar sustained the injury in a French Cup tie against Strasbourg on January 23, which was later described by the club as a recurrence of a previous injury. He had been sidelined for three months last season due to a fracture in the fifth metatarsal of his right foot.

"As a result, Neymar is expected to return to the field within ten weeks," the statement read.

"Paris Saint-Germain sends its strongest support and encouragement to Neymar Jr. to overcome this injury, with the courage and determination that the player has always shown," it added.

Neymar joined PSG on a record fee of 222 million euros in 2017. He has scored 20 goals in 23 appearances this season.

PSG visit Manchester United on February 12, and play the return leg at the Parc des Princes on March 6. In addition to missing both legs of that tie, Neymar may also be sidelined for the quarterfinals should PSG advance.

Despite their comfortable 13-point lead in the domestic league signalling a smooth path to title defense, PSG suffer a huge blow with Neymar's absence in the European club elite competition where they desperately fight for the highest glory.

PSG have faced consecutive disappointment in European competitions in recent years, having never moved through the quarterfinals since the Qatari investors took over the club in 2011.

Besides Neymar, PSG also have concerns in midfield with Marco Verratti's ankle injury. They signed Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes from Zenit Saint Petersburg as a bolstering move on Tuesday.