Ancelotti hopeful on Pastore availability

PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti hopes key playmaker Javier Pastore can return from injury in time for the clash with Montpellier on February 19.

The Argentina international is expected to be out of action for a couple of weeks after picking up a thigh injury against Sable-sur-Sarthe in the Coupe de France and will miss this weekend’s Ligue 1 game against Evian.

With PSG currently first on the table and Montpellier second, the ex-Chelsea boss is optimistic that his star midfielder will return for the top-of-the-table fixture.

“I think he’s fine and he is doing well. He should resume collective training within a week and I think he’ll be ready to play against Montpellier,” Ancelotti said.

Meanwhile, despite the growing number of different nationalities in the Parc des Princes side, the Italian boss has spoken of the importance of the group all speaking in the same language.

“We are in France. We must all speak French. We have a teacher who comes to teach. Whether it is the players, the coaching staff and everyone should learn French,” he said.

PSG will hope to keep their three-point advantage at the top of Ligue 1 with a positive result on Saturday against Evian.

January deadline-day signing Thiago Motta is expected to make his debut for Ancelotti’s men in place of Blaise Matuidi.