Valenciennes go into Saturday’s French Ligue 1 tie against Montpellier without influential Ghana striker Abdul Majeed Waris, GHANAsoccernet.com can confirm.

Manager Ariël Jacobs has been forced to leave out the Black Stars striker from his squad making the trip to Montpellier due to a thigh problem.

The 22-year-old had not been able to take part in any of the Reds training sessions since the start of the week while MRI scan has revealed no major problem.

However, the Belgian tactician has agreed to allow his influential front-man to fully recover from the pain and prepare him for next weekend to face Olympique Lyon.

Waris joined Valenciennes from Russian side Spartak Moscow in January and has contributed 8 goals in 11 games to their survival campaign.

Valenciennes are third from bottom on the Ligue 1 table and could get out of the danger zone if they record a good result at the Stade de la Mosson.