25.07.2015 20:08 h

Lyon star Grenier set to miss start of season

Lyon manager Hubert Fournier admits France midfielder Clement Grenier is likely to miss the start of the season after suffering a "serious injury" in Saturday's 6-0 defeat against Arsenal.

Grenier clutched his leg and collapsed to the turf while attempting a pass in the first half and appeared to wipe away tears as he limped down the tunnel.

The 24-year-old, who only returned to action late last season after a year on the sidelines due to a groin injury and other fitness issues, has pulled a quad muscle and Fournier doesn't expect him to recover for several weeks.

That will rule him out of Lyon's Trophee des Champions clash against Paris Saint Germain on August 1 and their Ligue 1 opener against Lorient on August 9.

"It's not great news I'm afraid. He's got a problem with his quad. he's pulled a muscle, so it's not encouraging," Fournier said.

"It's not the groin but it's still a serious injury and that's going to give us a problem at the start of the season.

"We are going to wait for the tests on Clement to see how long he will be out."

Grenier's injury summed up a dispiriting day for Fournier, whose side offered little resistence as they slumped to a dismal defeat in their opening match in the pre-season Emirates Cup tournament.

"We have definitely taken a bit of a clip around the ear. The fact we conceded six is a huge disappointment," he said.

"The injury to Clement did destabilise us, but we won't use that as an excuse.

"We weren't particularly calm. We were found wanting in our mindset. We gave up at one stage in the first half.

"When you concede four goals in 10 minutes it is a mental issue and we have to address that.

"But there is no emergency here. It will allow us to get everyone back on task with their responsibilities because it was a team defeat."