Guingamp vs Stade Rennais FC preview - Montanier frustrated by injuries

Posted Saturday, November 22, 2014 by PA

Rennes boss Philippe Montanier has expressed his frustration after Kamil Grosicki suffered a broken arm playing for his country.

Grosicki picked up the injury during Poland's 4-0 win over Georgia in Euro 2016 qualifying last week and now looks set to be out for some time. He will join Pedro Henrique, who is suspended, on the sidelines as Rennes travel to the Stade du Roudourou on Saturday.

Montanier, who also saw striker Ola Toivonen suffer a hamstring injury while playing for Sweden last month, described how annoying it is to lose players in this way.

"It's frustrating because these are events that we cannot control," he told the club's official website.

"From our side, we make every effort to ensure the players are in good condition. It pays because we have few wounded, but we are not lucky with national teams."

Grosicki has become a regular player for Les Rouges et Noirs this season after arriving at the club in January from Turkish side Sivasspor.

His absence will be keenly felt, especially as they look to continue a superb run of six games unbeaten which has seen them climb to seventh in Ligue 1 after bouncing back from three successive defeats at the end of September.

There was some good news for the Rennes boss, though, as Toivonen has been cleared to return to action this weekend.

Montanier added: "He (Toivonen) got through a full week. He feels fine. He has the green light so he can rejoin the group."

Guingamp are yet to click their season into gear and go into the derby clash stuck in the drop zone on goal difference.

Despite their stuttering league form, Jocelyn Gourvennec's side have performed better in the Europa League and are currently second in Group K, although it is possible their European excursions are taking a toll on the domestic front.

When asked about this weekend's game, which is a repeat of May's Coupe de France final, Gourvennec stressed that their dominance in the corresponding fixtures last year counts for little this time around.

"Everything is rewritten all the time. It's true we beat them three times last year. Every game is different," he told reporters.

"They are better this year, they have 19 points and they have a (seven point) margin."