PSG: Dembélé out six weeks, Doué out four with injuries

Paris Saint-Germain confirmed on Saturday that forwards Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué will be sidelined for several weeks after both left France's 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Ukraine injured on Friday in Wrocław. The club said Dembélé has suffered a serious tear to his right hamstring and is expected to be out for about six weeks, while Doué sustained a strain to his right calf and will miss roughly four weeks of action.

Dembélé replaced Doué at halftime but was forced off late in the second half, visibly hobbling as he left the field. France coach Didier Deschamps defended the decision to use Dembélé, saying he believed the winger was fit and that the issue involved the opposite thigh to a previous complaint. The national team medical staff will carry out further assessments, and PSG said Dembélé is due to return to the club for imaging and treatment.

The injuries represent a major blow for PSG as they prepare to begin the defence of their Champions League title. The club will host Atalanta on September 17 and travel to Barcelona on October 1. PSG’s medical update said Dembélé will miss the Champions League opener and will almost certainly be unavailable for the match...