Brazilian midfielder Wendel is back in Bordeaux's squad for a Ligue 1 match at mid-table Valenciennes on Saturday.

Wendel had hurt his left ankle after a tackle by Anthony Reveillere in Bordeaux's 4-2 defeat at Lyon in a top-of-table clash on March 9. Initial fears that is was broken were quickly allayed and it transpires he has just suffered heavy bruising.

Bordeaux, lying second six points back with nine matches left, are the only side with a reasonable chance of stopping leaders Lyon from winning a seventh successive title.

Strugglers PSG will miss captain Pauleta and fellow forward Peguy Luyindula, both suffering from thigh injuries, when they play at Lyon. A defeat could send the capital club back into the relegation zone.

Midfielders Mathieu Valbuena and Benoit Cheyrou, who were rested by Marseille coach Eric Gerets in the shock 1-0 Coupe de France defeat by fifth division Carquefou on Wednesday, should return for Saturday's league match at home to Sochaux. Fourth-placed Marseille are chasing a Champions League berth.

Strugglers Sochaux face two weeks without defender and captain Jeremie Brechet, who sustained a calf injury in a 2-1 cup defeat by Lyon on Tuesday.

Sixth-placed Le Mans will miss defender Samuel Bouhours and Benin midfielder Stephane Sessegnon through suspension when they visit relegation candidates Toulouse on Saturday.

Lille defender Nicolas Plestan has been handed a three-month suspended jail term for threatening a driver with a fake gun after a traffic incident.

Seventh-placed Lille, visiting lowly Strasbourg on Saturday, have a long injury list featuring Cameroon midfielder Jean Makoun, forward Pierre-Alain Frau and Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert.

Monaco forward Jeremy Menez could miss the remainder of the season because of a groin problem that may require surgery, his club said. The team from the principality, who have dropped to 12th after a dismal run, visit Caen on Saturday.

Reuters