Midfielder Florent Balmont does not think Lille will be at an advantage for their Ligue 1 season opener against defending champions Paris St Germain despite the absence of star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Sweden international played the full 90 minutes in PSG's 2-0 win over Lyon in the Trophee des Champions on Saturday but suffered ligament damage.
Ibrahimovic worked separately from the team on their return to training on Tuesday and a club statement read: ''Zlatan Ibrahimovic has had scans which have revealed a sprain of the internal lateral ligament of his right knee.
''The striker will therefore be absent for Friday's league match at Lille.''
For Balmont, a 35-year-old veteran who has been at Lille since 2008, the motivation to start the season strongly remains, no matter the opposition.
He knows L'OSC's three opening encounters - at home against PSG, away to Monaco and home against Bordeaux - are tough, but is refusing to even think Friday's task will be made any easy with Ibrahimovic sidelined.
"I hope that the Parisians will relax a little this weekend," Balmont told Lille's official website, "Zlatan is absent, but behind there is (Edinson) Cavani and others, so it does not change much.
"As usual, I am driven by a big motivation. We have a big match against PSG and our early season schedule is complicated because after that are going to Monaco before receiving Bordeaux.
"Here, there has been a lot of change, but it was good preparation."
Lille have a new manager this season, former Ivory Coast and Zambia boss Herve Renard, who led both countries to the African Nations Cup title.
The 46-year-old former Cannes defender joined Lille in May and Balmont is impressed with what he has seen so far from the Frenchman.
"It is only the beginning, but we see that there is a lot to play for on the field," Balmont said.
"He is very present with the players during the sessions and outside of them.
"I really want to have a big season and continue to give everything for this jersey. I think we still have something to do this year."
PSG, meanwhile, have been bolstering their squad and agreed a £44.3million fee with Manchester United for the transfer of Angel di Maria last weekend in a boost before the start of their campaign.
The 27-year-old then flew to Doha, where he underwent a medical and during an interview in Qatar, Di Maria said he was "Very happy to join PSG."
"I am going to try to bring the best of my abilities to put myself at the service of this team," he added.
"We are going to try to go as far as possible in the Champions League."
Source: PA-WIRE
