Ghana are likely to miss central defender John Mensah for their opening second phase of the 2010 World Cup qualifier against Benin later this month because of injury.

Olympique Lyonnais are expected to be without the defender for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League first knockout round tie against FC Barcelona after a hamstring injury on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old, who has recently been sidelined by thigh and calf problems, was replaced by Cris 28 minutes into his side's 3-2 French Cup fourth-round defeat by LOSC Lille Mértropole.

While the extent of the injury has yet to be ascertained, Lyon coach Claude Puel warned that the second-leg match at Camp Nou on 11 March would likely come too soon for the centre-back.

"I'm afraid we'll be without him for a while," he said.

Ghanaian international Mensah has played four UEFA Champions League games this season and eleven more in Ligue 1.

The French champions drew 1-1 with Barcelona at Stade de Gerland last week.