Contenders contemplate changes

FC Sochaux-Montbéliard coach Guy Lacombe is beset by a number of injuries that could force him to make wholesale changes for the UEFA Cup second leg against Olympiacos CFP at the Auguste Bonal Stadium on Thursday.

Key absentees
The French side lost the first leg 1-0 in Greece and know they have to score to remain in the competition. They must do so without Marcelo Trapasso, Ilan and Wilson Oruma, however, as the three attack-minded players are sidelined with cruciate ligament, adductor and knee injuries respectively.

Santos return
In their absence, Mohamed Kader played as a lone striker in the 1-0 defeat at AS Saint-Etienne on Saturday but the Togolese forward is ineligible tomorrow after turning out for previous side Servette FC earlier this season. He could be replaced by Santos after the Tunisian recovered from a thigh injury.

Menez move
With goals an imperative, Lacombe could partner Santos with 17-year-old Jérémy Menez as he seeks to avoid a repeat of the loss to FC Internazionale Milano at the same stage last season. One piece of positive news for the coach is the return of Swiss midfield player Johann Lonfat following a spell on the sidelines.

Defensive reshuffle
Olympiacos also suffered defeat at the weekend - 2-1 at Ergotelis FC - and coach Dusan Bajevic is set to ring the changes as his side seek a place in the Round of 16. Central defenders Georgios Anatolakis and Gabriel Schürrer are set for a return to the starting lineup, while Athanasios Kostoulas is in line to cover for the suspended Anastasios Pantos.

Giovanni boost
The Greek outfit have also been boosted by the return of midfield player Grigorios Georgatos and Giovanni, although the Brazilian striker is unlikely to start after Ioannis Okkas's goalscoring display in the first leg at the Georgios Karaiskakis stadium last week.