Lille vs Trabzonspor preview - We have a point to prove - Cole

On-loan midfielder Joe Cole believes Lille have a chance to prove they are worthy of a place in the Champions League knockout stage at home to Trabzonspor.

Victory would put the Ligue 1 side through as Group B runners-up at the expense of the Turkish visitors.

And after taking just two points from their first four matches Cole, on a season-long loan from Liverpool, thinks progression will make a point to their critics.

"I think it's a very important game for the club to show its' progress by playing in the Champions League," he told French TV programme Telefoot.

"I think we were not very lucky at the start of competition. People doubted us but we have the opportunity to change course and to qualify, which would be a great achievement for Lille.

"Everyone wants to ensure that happens and we are very motivated by this challenge."

Lille captain Rio Mavuba is relishing the task ahead but admits there may be some anxiety among the players.

"I have never played such a game, with such pressure," he told newspaper La Voix du Nord.

"We play this game to experience these kind of emotions and there is a place in the last 16 at stake."

Lille will be without forward Tuilo de Melo, who is out for the medium term with a hamstring injury sustained at the weekend, while defender David Rozehnal is suspended and midfielders Benoit Pedretti and Idrissa Gueye are injury doubts.

Despite occupying second place Trabzonspor cannot afford to play for a draw in northern France as that would leave the door open for CSKA Moscow, on five points like Lille, to snatch qualification by beating group winners Inter Milan.

Trabzonspor coach Senol Gunes has urged his players to seize their chance.

"We created this opportunity, we will determine the result," he told the Turkish press.