Metz vs Guingamp preview - Doukoure hopes to inspire Metz

Posted Saturday, February 14, 2015 by PA

Cheick Doukoure hopes he has brought the winning feeling back from the African Nations Cup as Metz bid to climb off the foot of the Ligue 1 table with victory over Guingamp.

The last-placed team in the French top flight now have a continental champion in their ranks as midfielder Doukoure returns to the fold following Ivory Coast's dramatic triumph over Ghana.

Metz have not won a league game since November 1 and sit four points behind 17th-placed Toulouse with 24 games of the season already behind them.

So Doukoure, who is back in contention for Sunday's game, plans to inspire his team-mates to an overdue win.

He told a press conference: "I am available to (coach) Albert Cartier. If he decides that I can start, I am able to do so.

"I was concerned by Metz's run of defeats before I left for the cup but now I'm back with a totally different outlook.

"I will try to convey my confidence to the squad, knowing that could be enough to change things."

Referring to the meeting with 10th-placed Guingamp, the 22-year-old added: "Winning on Sunday will be paramount and I hope it can be the beginning of a great sequence for us.

"We have to win all the games ahead of us (Reims and Evian follow Sunday's match) if we want to get out of this position.

"We have to take three points from Guingamp by whatever means!"

While Metz were eliminated from the Coupe de France in midweek - Ligue 2 side Brest triumphed on penalties at Stade Saint-Symphorien - holders Guingamp squeezed through against even lowlier opposition.

Fourth-tier outfit Yzeure were seconds away from knocking Jocelyn Gourvennec's men out of the last 16, but Christophe Mandanne equalised in stoppage-time before he and Jeremy Pied scored in extra-time to secure a 3-1 victory.