Lille coach Rudi Garcia said on Thursday that England international Joe Cole could make his debut for the reigning French champions in this weekend's Ligue 1 clash with Saint-Etienne.
Cole joined on a season-long loan from Liverpool on transfer deadline day along with the Polish international striker Ireneusz Jelen, formerly of Auxerre, but both are short of fitness and Garcia wants to give them as much time as possible to prove that they are ready for action.
"Joe did a full pre-season with Liverpool, which is pretty good but he is going to be lacking in match fitness," said Garcia at the club's training ground.
"Ireneusz's situation is a little more complicated. He has spent two months working with a physical trainer but he has not trained with a group.
"We need to make sure we don't cause them to get injured by throwing them in too soon."
When asked if the pair might be involved at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Garcia replied: "There is a chance. We will see how they are tomorrow (Friday). We will see how they are after their first full week training with us. They could both be involved, but they could also both be left out."
It is difficult to see exactly where Cole will fit into Lille's clearly-defined 4-3-3 formation, but Garcia believes the former Chelsea star can offer something different in midfield.
"He is more of an attacking midfielder, but I think he can play through the middle or out wide," he said.
"If we continue with our system of two more advanced midfielders (normally Benoit Pedretti and Florent Balmont with Rio Mavuba sitting) then he can play one of those roles too.
"I have spoken to him about it and he has no problem. He has great technique. He is one of the most Latin players in the English game."
Lille are looking for a third successive league win this weekend before they kick off their Champions League campaign at home to CSKA Moscow on Wednesday.
Source: AFP
