Puel looks to Lyon revival ahead of crucial week

(GSM) – Olympique Lyon manager Claude Puel believes his team are back on track ahead of a crucial week in their season.

However the former Monaco and Lille manager admits his side can still do better.

The former French champions, who were knocked out of both domestic cup competitions recently, are on a road to revival that has seen them conjure three wins and a draw from their last four games.

But their run will be in for a test when they take on Lens in Ligue 1 on Saturday, before facing Real Madrid in the Champions League knockout stages on Tuesday – both being played at the Stade Gerland.

Puel said: “There are good things to do. Even though we have taken 10 points from 12 during our last games, there is room for improvement.”

Puel revealed the club’s injury situation is easing, with Cleber, Francois Clerc, Maxime Gonalons, Dejan Lovren and Mathieu Bodmer all closing in on returns.

Gonalons has had problems with wisdom teeth this week, while Lovren has been laid low by a bout of gastroenteritis.

However, Puel added on his club website: “Cleber and Clerc have resumed training and Bodmer will return soon.”

He expects a tough match against 14th-placed Lens, who beat Le Mans last weekend and also knocked Marseille out of the Coupe de France in midweek.

Puel added: “They are full of confidence after two successes and they will have a mentality that they have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

“We know what to expect but it depends on us, our involvement, our game. We do not have to watch what our competitors are doing.”