Last Updated: Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:45
Arsene Wenger has confirmed Cesc Fabregas will not play when Arsenal take on Porto in the Champions League tonight.
Fabregas suffered a recurrence of his hamstring injury against Burnley on Saturday but Wenger hinted his influential midfielder could still play as the Gunners look to overturn a 2-1 first leg deficit.
However Fabregas has now been ruled out of the game and Wenger just hopes he is not out for even longer.
"Cesc has a hamstring problem and we could not even take a gamble with him," said Wenger. "I was hoping he would recover after the Burnley game because we were cautious with him.
"We don't know how long he will be out. He is having a scan today and we are convinced it will only be a small time, and he has a small chance of getting back for next weekend against Hull, but to play him again would mean significant damage."
Elsewhere Alex Song is back available after serving a two-match ban while midfield duo Andrey Arshavin and Abou Diaby, who came off the bench at the weekend, could start.
William Gallas is again expected to miss out with a calf injury.