Thiago Silva fit but Ibra and Luiz out, says Blanc
Thiago Silva is fit to play for Paris Saint-Germain against Lens on Friday, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic and David Luiz will both miss out, coach Laurent Blanc said on Thursday.
Silva played in the opening-day draw at Reims in August, but then suffered a hamstring injury in a friendly against Napoli three days later that has kept him out ever since.
However, Ibrahimovic is still suffering from a heel problem while David Luiz picked up a thigh complaint while playing for Brazil against Argentina in a friendly in Beijing over the international break.
"David Luiz is injured, he won't play against Lens, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is out for Lens, as are Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marquinhos," said Blanc.
"Thiago Silva is fit but it remains to be seen if he will be in the squad, on the bench or in the starting line-up."
Speaking about Ibrahimovic's heel problem, Blanc added: "It's improving but not enough to be in the squad.
"I hope it won't last long but as for a return date or day, I couldn't say."
The continued absence of Ibrahimovic means Edinson Cavani will again lead the attack for the defending champions, and Blanc is confident the misfiring striker will soon return to form after a poor start to the season.
"Edinson felt that he was not in the best form of his career and has buried himself in his work over the last 10 days and I have to say he has been exceptional in that regard," said Blanc.
"He needed to recover certain sensations. I am waiting impatiently for him to confirm that in a game situation, but I am very pleased with the work he has done."
Cavani has scored four times in 12 games in all competitions this season but looked horribly off colour in front of goal in the 3-2 Champions League win over Barcelona and the 1-1 draw with Monaco just before the recent international break.
Friday's match against a Lens side in the relegation zone will be played at the Stade de France, the national stadium just outside Paris, but Blanc is unimpressed with the state of the pitch.
"The Stade de France pitch is a disaster, although it's never been good," he said.
Lens are unable to play at their own stadium this season as it undergoes refurbishment work ahead of Euro 2016, so all their home fixtures so far have been played 80 kilometres away in Amiens.
However, Friday's match is the first of three they will host at the Stade de France.