Mainz 05's crucial UEFA Conference League quarter-final against RC Strasbourg has been dealt a significant blow, with the club confirming the absence of two key players just hours before kickoff.

The Bundesliga side announced via social media that influential midfielder Jae-Sung Lee is sidelined with an injury to his left big toe. The 33-year-old South Korean international, a vital creative engine for the team, missed Wednesday's training session, effectively ruling him out of the European fixture.

Compounding the selection headache for manager Bo Henriksen, defender Maxim Leitsch is also unavailable. Leitsch is nursing a muscle injury in his left thigh, weakening Mainz's defensive options for a high-stakes European night.

The club noted that return dates for both Lee and Leitsch are uncertain and will depend entirely on their individual recovery progress. This news adds immediate pressure for the Strasbourg tie and casts a shadow over their important Bundesliga match this Sunday against SC Freiburg.

For fans, the absence of these two core players is a tough pill to swallow, highlighting how quickly injuries can reshape a team's fortunes during the demanding final stretch of the season.