Chelsea outcast Malouda handed Lyon lifeline

Lyon has suggested it is prepared to offer Chelsea outcast Florent Malouda a way out of his Stamford Bridge woes.

The 32-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at the club to the point where he is now no longer part of manager Roberto Di Matteo's first team plans.

The France international was left out of Chelsea's squad for the Champions League and claimed he has been forced to train with the reserves.

Malouda joined the current European champions from Lyon in 2007, and the club's president, Jean-Michel Aulas, says he would welcome the midfielder's return to the Stade Gerland.

"Our door is always open to former players," Aulas told reporters.

"Malouda has been in contact with our coaching team very recently."

The Lyon president also left the door open for Jeremy Toulalan to return to the club from financially unstable Spanish side Malaga.

"We've also spoken with Jeremy Toulalan who has been having problems at Malaga," he revealed.