The continued absence of Moroccan international Nayef Akrd from his new club Marseille, which is preparing to face Newcastle United on Tuesday in the fifth round of the Champions League group stage, has been confirmed by coach Roberto De Zerbi. When asked about including Akrd in an enhanced defensive lineup against Newcastle, De Zerbi replied: "Akrd will not be available tomorrow, whether we play with four, five, seven, or ten at the back." The 29-year-old, who joined from West Ham this season, is suffering from a groin injury and missed Marseille's 5-1 win over Nice on Friday. He was also absent for his national team during the last international break. Marseille is also without the other center-back, Argentine Facundo Medina, who, according to De Zerbi, "will continue to be absent for a month" due to an injury to his right ankle sustained in early October against Ajax in the Champions League. The Algerian striker Amine Guirri and the Ivorian Hamed Traoré have also been sidelined since mid-October and early September respectively due to injuries.
