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Striker Guillaume Hoarau will start a match for the first time this season when second-placed Paris St Germain visit Monaco on Sunday.

Hoarau, who scored 17 goals in his first season in the top flight last term, has made only two brief substitute appearances for PSG so far after recovering from a groin injury sustained last May.

Argentina midfielder Lucho Gonzalez, who fractured his collarbone in a pre-season friendly, will make his Marseille debut when the former European champions visit Le Mans on Saturday.

Lyon, welcoming Lorient on Saturday, face a month without France defender Jean-Alain Boumsong, sidelined with a groin injury.

Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc said he is tired of reading speculation he might become the France coach if Raymond Domenech is sacked. "I understand you want to talk about the France coach but please let me out of this," he said.

With a Champions League clash with Juventus coming up, Blanc could be tempted to rest Yoann Gourcuff, who has just played two games for France, when the champions and leaders welcome Grenoble on Saturday. "He is tired," Blanc said of his playmaker.

Goalkeeper Yoann Pele will play his first match for Toulouse when they visit Nancy on Saturday. Pele joined the south-westerners from Le Mans in the close season but fractured his hand in July.

Promoted Montpellier, lying a surprise fourth after four games, will welcome back Emir Spahic to host Racing Lens on Saturday. The Bosnia defender had been sidelined with swine flu.

Northern neighbours Valenciennes and promoted Boulogne will meet for the first time in Ligue 1 on Saturday.

"This is not a traditional derby but a match between two sides who share the same spirit and values," said coach Philippe Montanier, who joined Valenciennes from Boulogne during the close season.

"There should be a great atmosphere."

Reuters