Nantes vs Reims preview - Deaux: Nantes making progress

Lucas Deaux believes Nantes have proved the unwitting beneficiaries of their FIFA-imposed transfer ban after uncovering "new life" at the Ligue 1 club.

Midfielder Deaux hailed Nantes' rise to fifth in the French top flight, hailing coach Michel Der Zakarian for shrugging off the transfer embargo that runs until summer 2015.

Nantes can sell and release players but make no additions after the FIFA sanctions owing to a dispute with Al Nasr over the signing of Guinea forward Ismael Bangoura in January 2012.

Deaux will line up against home town club Reims in Saturday's home league clash, adamant Nantes can continue to thrive despite being unable to bolster their squad.

"What works well is that despite the ban on recruitment, there has been new life into the group," he said.

"I think the emergence of Georges-Kevin N'Koudou, the progress of Kian Hansen and Yacine Bammou: it all brings freshness to the team.

"Keeping the ball, it is also much better, we are making progress.

"We defend quite well, which makes it a little easier to attack, and even when we struggle things remain positive.

"We are in a better position after nine games than this time last year, so we are definitely making progress."

Deaux made 117 appearances in six years for Reims before switching to Nantes in 2012.

The 25-year-old admitted he keeps tabs on his old side's results, but said there will be no split loyalties this weekend.

"Of course I look out for their results," said Deaux.

"I was born there, I grew up there and I played there.

"But after that, it cannot be anything special for me to play against them.

"It can't be any different when I go there, so for me, this is a team like any other.

"I have to do everything to ensure that we get another win on Saturday night."

Reims' battle to edge away from the relegation zone was boosted by a 1-0 home victory over Bordeaux in their last action before the international break, visiting defender Julien Faubert putting through his own net.

Reims boss Jean-Luc Vasseur capitalised on the international break to help Chrys Mavinga and Valentin Roberg back to full fitness.

"There was an awareness against Bordeaux in defence, and we need this regularly and consistently," said Vasseur.

"It cannot fluctuate and allow us to become disillusioned.

"This team is capable of clean sheets, but we have to work at that and build from the back."