Frau to miss UEFA Cup clash

Wednesday 14 December, 2005

New Lens striker Pierre-Alain Frau will play no part in Thursday’s make-or-break UEFA Cup clash with Sampdoria.

Frau, who joined Les Sang et Or on loan from Lyon last week, is not qualified to play in the UEFA Cup group phase, even though he has not appeared for Lyon in this season’s Champions’ League.

Should Lens secure the result they need to go through, Frau, 25, would be eligible to play in the knockout phase.

Lens are also likely to be without their captain, Vitorino Hilton. The Brazilian centre-back missed the northern derby with Lille at the weekend because of a broken nose, and has not trained this week due to illness.

With four points from three games, Francis Gillot’s side need to beat Sampdoria to be sure of their passage to the last 32. They could also sneak through with a draw if Steaua Bucharest win at home to Hertha Berlin in the night’s other Group C clash.