Lorient vs Metz preview - Lautoa wary of Metz threat

Lorient defender Wesley Lautoa insists Metz remain a formidable proposition at their Stade de Moustoir home even if Modibo Maiga is absent.

Metz's build-up to the Ligue 1 clash on Saturday night has been dominated by Malian striker Maiga missing last weekend's 3-1 defeat at Marseille, the 27-year-old loanee from West Ham failing to make the squad's flight to the south of France.

Les Grenats only had six substitutes on the bench at the Velodrome and Metz held a disciplinary committee on Thursday morning to hear Maiga's case.

"It shall notify the player in the middle of next week to the decision on a possible sanction against him," said a statement posted on the official Metz website.

So Maiga could sit out the trip to Lorient as both sides seek to reach the 20-point threshold, the 17th-placed hosts currently just outside the relegation zone and two points adrift of Metz.

"We know this will not be an easy game but we're at home and it will be up to us to take things in hand," Lautoa told the official Lorient website.

"We need a big start to the match because this is a good team that has quality before you include Maiga.

"They are sturdy, have a lot of speed on the wings and players with experience to mentor the younger players.

"Metz will come to Moustoir to take the points and get distance between us in the standings."

Metz's defeat at Marseille was their fifth successive Ligue 1 loss on the road and they have lost five of their last six in all competitions to Lorient.

"We have to prepare for the next game," Metz coach Albert Cartier told the club website after the Marseille defeat.

"I'm a competitor and I do not like losing but I'm not upset."

Mathieu Coutadeur could replace Mehdi Mostefa in the Lorient midfield after last weekend's 3-2 defeat at Bordeaux.

Metz are set to be without centre-back Guido Milan who sustained a groin injury at Marseille and Anthony Mfa is also set to deputise for injured first-choice goalkeeper Johann Carrasso.