Balotelli sidelined with calf injury

Nice - Mario Balotelli will miss Nice's next three games because of a calf injury.

Balotelli, who is reviving his chaotic career with the French league leader, was hurt at training this week and missed the 2-0 defeat to Schalke in the Europa League on Thursday.

The Italian striker has six league goals in as many matches, a stark contrast to last season's tally of one goal in 20 league appearances with AC Milan.

"He won't be available for the three matches to come over the next 10 days, that's for sure," Nice coach Lucien Favre said.

Favre added that injured defender Paul Baysse won't return to the team before the end of the year because of a knee problem.

Nice, which hosts Bastia on Sunday, has a three-point lead over Monaco.