The former Manchester United goalkeeper had an operation on Thursday, and as a result is ruled out of his team's first match with Troussier in charge against Caen on Saturday.

"I spoke to him by phone. The operation went very well," Troussier said at his team's midweek training camp here.

"I wished him a speedy recovery," Troussier added, without revealing details about the nature of Barthez' problem.

On Monday French regional paper La Provence reported that Barthez' surgery was to remove a non-malignant skin tumour.

Troussier was unable to say how long Barthez would be out of action.

"His recovery will need time, but we hope he'll be back soon," said the man brought in to revive the south coast side's fortunes after Jose Anigo's resignation last month.