Rennes midfielder Romain Alessandrini looks set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering knee ligament damage in last night's Ligue 1 defeat at Lille.

The 23-year-old, who received his first France call-up for the friendly against Germany earlier this month, was substituted ten minutes before half-time of his side's 2-0 loss at the Grand Stade Lille Metropole. Subsequent scans confirmed the worst and he must now undergo surgery.

"Romain Alessandrini underwent an MRI this afternoon in Rennes," read a statement on www.staderennais.com. "Unfortunately, the tests confirmed the rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. The midfielder will visit a surgeon as soon as possible for an operation."

Speaking last night, after seeing his side's four-match unbeaten run ended, coach Frederic Antonetti said: "It's a sorry evening, especially for Roman. He is a player who has improved over the past six months. It is a big loss tonight."