French Ligue 1 side Stade Reims have been handed a massive blow with Kenyan defender Joseph Okumu feared to be out for the remainder of the season.

Okumu suffered a shoulder injury in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Strasbourg and was withdrawn midway in the tie.

The setback has since been compounded with fears that the 27-year-old Kenyan sustained a fracture according to the initial assessment. Further tests will be carried out this week to determine the exact severity of his injury, but the initial signs suggest little hope for a quick return.

“There is a lot of concern and we think it could be over for him this season.” Samba Diawara, the Reims coach told L’Equipe.

The development comes as huge a blow for who has been a key figure in Reims’ defence line since his arrival at the side, KAA Gent.

Despite enduring an injury-hampered season from the recurrent shoulder problem, Okumu has been a key cog of Reims’ backline missing only eight games this season through injury.

He was recently nominated for the team’s Player of the Month award for March. in the month. In the month, the six-time French champions registered a win, a draw and one defeat in their league engagements.

The new setback is however likely to impact the team’s quest for a strong finish to the league. With 26 points in the season, Reims’ league status is far from assured, sitting just one place above the relegation zone with six games to wrap up the season.

A potential relegation six-pointer against St Ettiene, who sit three points below at 17th, is among the decisive clash the former French champions are faced with before the end of the league.

In what could also be a worse timing of the injury, Okumu and Reims are scheduled to face off against newly crowned France champions, Paris St Germain (PSG) in the Coupe De France finals in May.

 The clash could see Okumu clinch his maiden trophy in the French top-tier league.