RC Lens are without key players at both ends of the pitch as they prepare to make the short trip to face fierce rivals Lille OSC on Friday night.

Ismaelo Ganiou recently underwent minor surgery and is expected to be out for several weeks. He is a big miss at the back, especially as Maik Nawrocki, brought in to provide cover at the back over the summer, is expected to miss much of the season with an ACL injury. Jean-Clair Todibo has struggled since joining Lens on loan from West Ham United, however, he is expected to start tonight.

There are also absences up front. Abdalllah Sima is out until the other side of the international break, whilst Odsonne Édouard is the latest to succumb to an injury that will rule him out for several weeks, perhaps until 2027.

Lens likely line-up v Lille

Robin Risser; Jean-Clair Todibo, Samson Baidoo, Jonathan Gradit; Matthieu Udol, Amadou Haidara, Michael Cuisance, Ruben Aguilar; Florian Sotoca, Thorgan Hazard, Florian Thauvin. (L’Éq)