RC Lens confirm Abdallah Sima ruled out of Derby du Nord with thigh injury

RC Lens have confirmed that Senegal forward Abdallah Sima will miss the first Derby du Nord of the season against Lille on October 30 after picking up a thigh injury during the international break.

Lens announced on Tuesday that the 25-year-old will be out for around two months and will not return until the end of November. The news is a major setback for a Lens side sitting 15th in Ligue 1 after five matches.

Sima had become an important attacking option, starting Lens’ last six matches. He has made seven appearances in all competitions this season, scoring twice and providing two assists in 534 minutes.

His absence will be felt most in the Lille fixture, which will be played at the Decathlon Arena – Stade Pierre-Mauroy at 21:05 on October 30. Lens must now find a way to replace his pace, movement and goal threat during a demanding run of Ligue 1 and Champions League matches.

For Sima, the injury also ends his momentum with Senegal, leaving Lens to cope without one of their most influential attacking players until late November.