No fewer than nine players are already certain to miss the Paris Saint-Germain vs. LOSC Lille match on Friday at the Parc des Princes, whether due to the Africa Cup of Nations or injuries. Several other players are also doubtful for this showdown of the 18th matchday in Ligue 1.

Respectively second in Ligue 1 with 39 points and fourth with 32, PSG and Lille face off this Friday night at the Parc des Princes for the 18th matchday of Ligue 1. A match that will pit two teams who were just eliminated in the round of 16 of the French Cup at home, against Paris FC for PSG, and against Lyon for LOSC.

Off on Wednesday, PSG trained Tuesday morning following its French Cup elimination, and none of the recently injured players had returned.

Lee Kang-in, Matvey Safonov, and Quentin Ndjantou will therefore also be unavailable this Friday against Lille, as will Ibrahim Mbaye and Achraf Hakimi, who will play in the Africa Cup of Nations semifinal this Wednesday, followed by the third-place match (Saturday) and/or the final (Sunday).

READ MORE: PSG's Quiet Winter Window Could See Departures of Two Players

The good news for the Parisian side, however, concerns the return to training on Tuesday of Lucas Hernandez, who had to withdraw from Monday's French Cup match against Paris FC due to illness. Barring a setback before Friday, Paris Saint-Germain will therefore have five absences against Les Dogues.

For his part, Bruno Genesio has recovered three African internationals this week: Algerian central defender Aissa Mandi, Congolese central defender Chancel Mbemba, and defensive midfielder Ngal'ayel Mukau. Three welcome returns for the Lille coach, who still has one African international at the Africa Cup of Nations, his Moroccan center forward Hamza Igamane, author of nine goals since the start of the season.

Above all, LOSC will be without its captain, Benjamin André, against PSG, after he injured his shoulder against Lyon last Sunday. "He underwent tests, and there is no fracture. That's good news this evening. We will see the length of his unavailability. I don't know how long he will be out," Genesio said Sunday night.

Absent from training on Tuesday, the experienced midfielder will certainly not recover by Friday, nor will Ousmane Touré, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament at the start of the season.

Not called up since the end of December, Ugo Raghouber is in the process of a move to Levante and will also not play against Paris Saint-Germain this Friday. Finally, Portuguese midfielder André Gomes, still troubled by muscular problems, is very doubtful, given that he has not played since Dec. 5 and has not been called up since.

Roundtablesports is Free to join! You can post your own thoughts, comment on articles, and start conversations with our Roundtable Writers. Scroll up to the top of the page and click 'Join'.

Download the FREE Roundtable APP, and get even easier access to your favourite teams and news!