Lens vs Bordeaux preview - Sagnol: We can cope with storm

Willy Sagnol says his Bordeaux players are "big boys" who can cope with the racism storm which has surrounded him this week.

The former France full-back drew widespread criticism for comments he made in an interview with the Sud-Ouest newspaper where he appeared to generalise about players from different cultural backgrounds.

On Thursday Sagnol apologised to anyone who had been offended by his remarks, and explained he had already spoken to his players about the matter before he addressed the media.

"For my players, the subject is closed. Some have already spoken on radio and television. There is no problem with them. These are big boys, if one of them has a concern, they will tell me, do not worry," Sagnol told the club's official website www.girondins.com.

The Ligue de Football Professionel ruled on Thursday that Sagnol would not face punishments over his comments, allowing Bordeaux to focus on their Ligue 1 clash at Lens at least to some extent.

Sagnol's men go into the game at Stade Felix-Bollaert fourth in the table, seven points behind leaders Marseille, but having failed to take any points from their last two away games.

Defenders Tiago Ilori, Theo Pellenard and Lamine Sane, midfielder Nicolas Maurice-Belay and forwards Jussie and Henri Saivet will miss the trip to northern France through injury.

Lens coach Antoine Kombouare was among those who criticised Sagnol's comments this week, telling the French media at a press conference: "I was hurt by the words of Willy Sagnol. This is serious. This is not a blunder. He has screwed up."

Lens went into this week's round of games one place and one point above the relegation zone.

Rudy Riou returned to training following a groin problem this week but Jerome Le Moigne, who limped off injured in the first half against Marseille last weekend, will be sidelined for at least three weeks according to Kombouare.