Lyonnais vs Lille OSC preview - Fournier: We don't fear Lille

Lyon coach Hubert Fournier maintains his side should not fear tackling Lille after their Europa League exploits this week, but warned against underestimating the challenge ahead at the Stade de Gerland.

Rene Girard's LOSC, who head into the weekend's Ligue 1 action third in the standings having suffered only one defeat so far, earned a creditable 1-1 draw in Thursday's European tie at Wolfsburg.

Following three successive defeats, meanwhile, Lyon went through September unbeaten - including a draw at Paris St Germain - and Fournier wants his team to continue that steady progress with another determined performance on Sunday.

"We do not fear (Lille), but they have a collective spirit and we have to be patient, to repeat our efforts. We will require a good level of technical passing (to get a result)," he said.

"It is still early (in the season), but this September should give us confidence in our potential."

Lyon defender Henri Bedimo has just returned to the side following injury and is confident Fournier's team are moving in the right direction after slipping out of the Europa League qualifiers to Romanian outfit Astra Giurgiu.

"We are starting to get back on track and have been reassured," Bedimo said on www.olweb.fr.

"It is too early to draw conclusions, but you have to use September as support for retrieving the ranking we want - the goal is to get back into the top five."

Lille have a mounting injury list, with midfielders Marvin Martin, Rony Lopes, Jonathan Delaplace and Rio Mavuba all carrying knocks.

Soualiho Meite has picked up a groin problem, while Danish defender Simon Kjaer has a strained ankle. Forward Ryan Mendes (groin) and defender Pape Souare (hamstring) are also not expected to play this weekend.

But defender David Rozehnal insists all of the squad are ready for the call when needed.

He said: "You have to know how to answer the challenge every time you are called upon. The players that were on the bench against Wolfsburg are ready to step up as soon as they get their chance."