Lille coach Claude Puel is confident his team will "rise to the challenge" and complete their end-of-season recovery to clinch a place in next season's UEFA Cup.

A win at Lorient on Saturday will seal fifth place for LOSC and qualify them for Europe's second-tier club competition.

It would mark a remarkable turnaround for the northerners, who were struggling at the bottom half of the table before the winter break, and Puel insists his men are ready to finish the job.

"The players are mobilised as they have to be if they want this European objective to be fulfilled," he said.

"There remains a last hill to get over and they are ready to rise to the challenge.

"Of course, nothing is sorted yet. St Etienne (who are a point behind) are in a strong position as they are hosting a Monaco side who have nothing to play for.

"As for Lorient, I think they can still do something, perhaps not in a playing sense but financially so."

Indeed it is still possible for Lorient, who are currently 11th, to vault four places on Saturday night if results go their way.

They could be without Rafik Saifi (tibia) while Jeremy Morel is also a doubt, but Mickael Ciani is back from a ban.

Lille will be without Nicolas Plestan, who has recovered from his ankle knock but is not match sharp.

Gregory Tafforeau came off against Lens last weekend with an ankle injury but he is fit to start on Saturday.