New Delhi, Aug 20 - India defender N.S. Manju is out of the Nehru Cup football tournament with a fractured left toe he suffered during the opening game against Lebanon here Wednesday.

Manju said it was disappointing to miss an important international tournament.

'We hardly get a chance to play in big tournaments and that,too, as defending champions. It is a big disappointment for me to go out in the first match of the tournament,' he said.

Team manager Pradeep Chowdhury said Manju's absence is a big blow to the team.

'Manju will be out for six weeks with the hairline fracture. Worse, we won't be allowed a replacement,' he said.

The Mohun Bagan defender will also miss next month's IFA Shield and the Durand Cup and a couple of matches in the Calcutta Premier League.