According to a report by l’Équipe, Quentin Merlin (22) will not be available for selection for Olympique de Marseille during their clash with archrivals Olympique Lyonnais on Sunday.
The left-back was ruled out of Marseille’s victory in the Derby de la Mediterranée over OGC Nice last weekend after a small lesion affecting his thigh was discovered after the player reported discomfort during his international duty with the France u21s.
Merlin has had a bright start to life under Roberto De Zerbi with the manager leaning on the fullback heavily throughout the club’s preseason and during the the first three games ahead of the international break – even playing Merlin as a midfielder during the opening game against Stade Brestois.
De Zerbi is not faced with a multitude of options to replace Merlin. The only other recognised left-back, Ulisses Garcia (28) has been reincorporated into the squad after he was placed in the “loft” over the summer and saw his first minutes of the season during the Nice fixture.
