Deschamps call in attacking reinforcements

Marseille coach Didier Deschamps has recalled striker Brandao from his loan spell due to injuries and players away the Africa Cup of Nations.

With Ghanaian brothers Jordan and Andre Ayew away on international duty for a month and Andre-Pierre Gignac nursing a groin injury, Deschamps has been left with limited options up forward, creating the need to recall the Brazilian.

Deschamps said Brandao is a little short of match fitness since returning from Gremio, but will feature in Sunday’s clash with defending champions Lille.

“He’s (Brandao) happy to be back. He’s smiling, positive and has received a warm welcome from his teammates. He’s back to work with the rest of the group,” Deschamps said.

“He trained back in Brazil but obviously, he’s not at his best shape. We will how he feels next week, there are no particular worries with him. It’s hard to say but he’s not injured.”

“He is with us. So he will be part of the group (for the game against Lille). He hasn’t played 90 minutes for a long time but he is phyisically strong. He will be part of the group.”

Deschamps said Brandao, who has scored 24 goals in 90 appearance for Marseille, offered something different to the other attacking options available.

“He is a kind of player that we don’t have. He will do what he did for us before and do it pretty well, with his qualities that could optimise the players around him,” he said.

“It will also depend on how I would like him to play. He has some characteristics that my other strikers – well I don’t have many strikers – I only have Loic (Remy). But it will help me to combine different players.”

Marseille are sixth in Ligue 1, five points behind Lille and nine points behind top side Paris Saint-Germain.