Marseille coach André Villas-Boas has insisted that Bordeaux's South Korea national teamer Hwang Ui-jo has the same characteristics as Samuel Kalu.

The Super Eagles winger has been ruled out of the star match of this weekend between Marseille and Bordeaux at the Orange Vélodrome after suffering what is now confirmed to be a hamstring injury whilst on international duty with the Nigeria squad exactly a week ago.

Kalu was in good form at club level before the injury with two goals in his last three matches for Bordeaux in the French Ligue 1.

Speaking at Thursday's press conference, Villas-Boas told reporters : "They are dangerous with the speed they have at depth. They lost Kalu, but they still have the Korean who is the same type of player with the speed he has.

"There is also Nicolas De Préville with the movements in depth and also between the lines.

"I find this team very good, for us it's a big challenge, at a difficult time for us.We will have to be at our best".

Kalu's injury is also a big blow to the Super Eagles as there are concerns he could miss next month's 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Sierra Leone.

Igho Kingsley