Mexes set to miss France friendlies

AC Milan defender Philippe Mexes is to have an operation on his left hand today which is likely to rule him out of France's international friendlies against the United States and Belgium later this month. The 29-year-old injured his hand in training on Thursday, forcing him out of Saturday's 3-2 victory at former club Roma. He will go under the knife today and is expected to miss the next two weeks, making it highly unlikely he will be named in Les Bleus' squad for the matches with the USA on 11 November and Belgium four days later. Milan doctor Rodolfo Tavana said: "It's a simple procedure to stabilise a fracture in his left hand. Two small screws will be inserted and then he will have to protect the hand. Without this operation, the player would have had to be in plaster for 45 days."