Emery expects PSG big guns to return for Champions League clash

Paris St Germain boss Unai Emery is expecting several big name players to be back for next week’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid.

Emery’s side bid to overturn a 3-1 deficit in the second leg of their last-16 tie against Real on Tuesday and warmed up with a comfortable 2-0 win at Ligue 1 strugglers Troyes.

PSG, already without Neymar after a fractured metatarsal ended his season last week, secured a sixth straight league win despite the absence of five other key players.

Top scorer Edinson Cavani, striker Kylian Mbappe, midfielder Marco Verratti, winger Javier Pastore and defender Marquinhos all missed Saturday’s win.

“Marquinhos is fine, he worked (on Saturday),” Emery told L’Equipe. “Verratti has a little pain. He could have played, but we will need all his power on Tuesday.

“Kylian (ankle), the doctor said, the best thing was to rest him. (On Sunday) he may be able to be with us.

“Cavani, a choice of medical (staff), he finished the game against Marseille with a pain. He could have played (on Saturday) and Pastore also has small calf pain. I hope it will be better.”

Second-half goals from Angel Di Maria and Christopher Nkunku sealed PSG’s win against Troyes, for whom goalkeeper Erwin Zelazny made a string of outstanding saves.

“It was an important game, after the two matches against Marseille,” said Emery, whose side are 14 points clear at the top of the table.

“I’m very happy. We maintained the level of play against a team that closed the spaces.

“We did not concede opportunities, we closed the spaces. We have been patient. The mood of the players in this match was very good. We were able to rest a few players. We are ready for Tuesday.”

Timothy Weah, son of former PSG and AC Milan striker George, was called into Emery’s squad for the first time and made his senior debut off the bench.

“He is a young player. He works very well and we have a lot of absentees up front,” Emery added.

“He had a chance to get in. He worked well, he had an opportunity.”