In-form Benzema joins Lyon casualty list

International striker Karim Benzema has been added to Lyon’s injury list ahead of the French champions’ home league game against second-bottom Valenciennes on Saturday.

The highly sought-after 20-year-old produced a match-winning display in his side’s 2-1 Champions League victory at Fiorentina on Tuesday, but has been ruled out for two weeks with a thigh injury originally sustained in France’s 0-0 friendly draw with Uruguay earlier this month.

Lyon’s assured display in Florence secured their place in the knockout phase of Europe’s premier club competition but followed a surprise 1-0 reverse at Paris Saint Germain in their last league outing.

Results elsewhere meant Lyon were able to preserve their five-point lead at the Ligue 1 summit, but defeat also came at the cost of a cruciate ligament injury to full-back Anthony Reveilleire and a red card for captain and playmaker Juninho.

Reveilleire joins defender Francois Clerc (knee ligaments) and midfielders Mathieu Bodmer (groin) and Miralem Pjanic (fractured leg) in the treatment room, while 19-year-old right-back Lamine Gassama (thigh) and holding midfielder Jeremy Toulalan (foot) are both doubtful for Saturday’s match.

PSG’s win over the champions was their third league victory in succession and took them up to fifth in the table, seven points behind Lyon.

Ludovic Giuly’s header was the only goal of the game, and the former Barcelona and Roma forward praised striker Guillaume Hoarau for his role in their blossoming partnership.

“I think we complement each other quite well,” said the diminutive Giuly.

“He is tall. He heads many balls and attracts defenders’ attention and creates space for me.”

The Parisians’ recent form has reinvigorated their quest for a Champions League place, but they face a stern test on Sunday when they travel to Rennes, who have surged to fourth place on the back of a 13-match unbeaten streak.

Rennes held last season’s runners-up Bordeaux to a 1-1 draw last weekend.

Bordeaux kept their Champions League hopes alive with a 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Wednesday and travel to third-bottom Sochaux on Saturday.

Laurent Blanc is likely to make changes for his side’s third game in seven days, but goalkeeper Ulrich Rame remains sidelined as he continues his return from a stomach injury.

An injury-time free-kick by Dutch midfielder Bolo Zenden earned third-placed Marseille a 2-2 draw at home to Lille in their last league game, but their Champions League adventure was brought to a halt by a 1-0 defeat at Liverpool on Wednesday.

Eric Gerets’s side visit Toulouse on Sunday.

Surprise package Nice moved ahead of Marseille into second place with a 1-0 win at rock-bottom Saint Etienne last time out.

They welcome promoted Grenoble on Saturday, but captain Olivier Echouafni says his side are keeping their feet firmly on the ground.

Saturday (1800GMT unless stated)

Auxerre v Monaco, Le Havre v Nantes, Le Mans v Caen, Lille v Lorient, Lyon v Valenciennes, Nice v Grenoble, Sochaux v Bordeaux (20:00GMT)

Sunday (1600GMT unless stated)

Toulouse v Marseille, Nancy v Saint Etienne, Rennes v Paris Saint Germain (2000GMT)