Lyon plot eighth title despite squad concerns

PARIS (AFP) - While other French clubs slogged it out in midweek cup action, reigning champions Lyon were plotting to maintain their four-point lead at the summit of the first division.

Lyon, seeded with Bordeaux to start their League Cup campaign in the next round, overcame a feisty Le Havre 1-0 last weekend to create some championship daylight between them and second-placed Marseille on 12 points.

But Lyon were kept very busy off the pitch this week, with club president Jean-Michel Aulas staving off prospective suitors for top scorer Karim Benzema by slapping a 100 million euro price tag on his head.

On Thursday the club were left reeling with news that playmaker and captain Juninho will miss Saturday's visit of Nancy, with the likelihood being he won't be fit for next week's Champions League match against Bayern Munich.

That European task will be made all the harder given that Lyon's French international stalwart Sidney Govou will miss the Nancy game after being sent off against Le Havre.