Aberdeen's European opponents rocked ahead of Pittodrie trip as Strasbourg captain suspended

The Ligue 1 giants are due to visit Pittodrie next week for a crucial Conference League clash - a game the Dons must win if they are to stand any chance of reaching the knock-out phase.

However, the French club have been rocked by a disciplinary matter involving their skipper Emanuel Emegha, who has been removed from the squad ahead of their home clash with Toulouse on Saturday evening.

Centre forward Emegha, 22, helped fire Strasbourg into Europe last season but has become a polarising figure in Alsace since it was announced during the summer that he will move to Chelsea in June - a fellow BlueCo-owned club.

Emegha was recently capped by Netherlands and is one of Strasbourg’s key men. In a statement, they claimed he would be reintegrated into the squad after the meeting with Toulouse - but it will remain to be seen whether he features against Aberdeen.

Strasbourg’s statement on Emegha read: “RC Strasbourg Alsace have decided to suspend Emanuel Emegha for the next Ligue 1 Match, this Saturday at Toulouse. This decision was taken after the player recently failed not respect the values and expectations set in the club’s rules.

“Le Racing reaffirms its commitment to its key principles of exemplarity and respect for the collective. Emanuel remains an important member of the team, who has always given everything on the pitch. He will be reintegrated into the squad after this match. No further comment will be made.”

Striker Emegha came on as a 68th-minute substitute in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat by Brest, but did score in the 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace last Thursday to move them second in the Conference League standings on ten points.