Metz vs Paris St Germain preview - Blanc optimistic over Ibrahimovic

Posted Friday, November 21, 2014 by PA

Paris St Germain manager Laurent Blanc hopes to welcome back the talismanic Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the Ligue 1 trip to Metz on Friday.

The striker looks set to be available for the champions after sitting out Sweden's 1-0 friendly defeat to France on Tuesday.

The 33-year-old returned from a seven-week absence with a heel injury to score for Sweden in their Euro 2016 qualifier against Montenegro, before missing the France game due to fitness concerns.

However, he has since resumed training and Blanc said: "It's going very well. After his match with Sweden he returned with a few aches. He played 90 minutes, so it makes sense.

"He has since recovered well. He will be able to train on Thursday afternoon."

Victory would put PSG top of the table for 48 hours at least, with Marseille welcoming Bordeaux to the Stade Velodrome on Sunday evening.

The capital club, who beat OM 2-0 before the international break to move within a point of the leaders, have not won at the Stade Saint-Symphorien for 11 years, though.

If Ibrahimovic were to return it would be a huge boost for Blanc, given Blaise Matuidi (hand), Marco Verratti (groin) and Lucas Moura (ankle) are all struggling with injuries.

Metz manager Albert Cartier admits the chances of his side beating PSG are still small, but is not giving up hope.

"I do not know if it's the right time to play Paris but I know it's always good to play against PSG," he said.

"Now it's up to our players to do everything to make this game not a memory, but an event."