Claude Puel wont make snap verdict
Lyon coach Claude Puel will wait until the end of the month before making any early judgments on his class of 2009/10.
Les Gones will be looking to post their first victory of the new season when they host Valenciennes at the Stade Gerland on Saturday.
They started the campaign by drawing 2-2 at Le Mans, with new recruit Lisandro Lopez scoring a late equaliser from a free-kick.
Striker Lopez was one of four high-profile signings made by Lyon this summer and after splashing out 70million euros in the transfer market, the pressure is on Puel to deliver the goods.
"There isn't an assessment to make after one match," he said.
"We know the importance of August. We will know a little bit more about ourselves at the end of the month.
"But I know that this squad has the quality, and that it is tight, balanced and talented."
Valenciennes got off to a poor start by losing 3-1 at home to Nancy and having seen the highly-regarded Antoine Kombouare quit as their coach in the summer to join Paris St Germain, they could be in for a difficult season.
Philippe Montanier has taken the reins and he will be without first-choice goalkeeper Nicolas Penneteau (suspended) at the weekend.
Jean-Louis Leca or new loan acquisition Guy-Rolland N'Dy Assembe will come in as a replacement between the sticks, while centre-back Rafael Schmitz is back in training after a thigh injury but may still miss out tomorrow.
Puel is definitely without right-back Francois Clerc (adductor) and centre-back Jean-Alain Boumsong is also out injured.
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