Paul Pogba is set to miss a further three weeks through injury with a muscle problem picked up while taking free-kicks in Juventus training.
The former Manchester United player was absent from the Juventus matchday squad for their 4-2 win over Sampdoria on Sunday because of the issue. Pogba had previously missed the midweek Europa League match against Freiburg for disciplinary reasons after arriving late to a pre-match team dinner.
A three-week timeline, as reported by The Athletic, would see Pogba miss the second leg in Freiburg and the Derby d'Italia with Inter Milan immediately before the international break. The France international will also miss European Championship qualifiers against the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland.
READ MORE: Pogba again missing for Juventus after fine for Europa League late show
Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri gave an update after the win over Sampdoria. “[On Sunday morning], Pogba was taking free kicks and felt a twinge in his adductor,” he said. “He will have tests tomorrow, but he will certainly not be there on Thursday or next Sunday, so we’ll see him after the break for international duty.”
Juventus' first match after the international fortnight is on April 1 against Hellas Verona. That same week the Italian giants also face Inter again in their Coppa Italia semi-final first leg and travel to Lazio in Serie A.
Pogba has barely played half an hour of football so far this season. He only returned after recovering from meniscus surgery late last month to make two cameo substitute appearances before disciplinary and injury issues curtailed his return.
READ NEXT:
- All the latest United news and views
- Casemiro and Alejandro Garnacho latest plus Man Utd fixture updates
- Erik ten Hag explains why he substituted Garnacho
- Player ratings vs Southampton as Lisandro Martinez good and Wout Weghorst poor
- 'Waste of time' - Southampton manager gives verdict on Casemiro red card
