Cissé set for Auxerre return

Foot injury
The French international has been sidelined with a foot injury since 11 September, but is likely to be available for the Group A encounter as Auxerre aim to build on their 2-1 victory at Arsenal FC on Matchday Four.

'Back soon'
Cissé watched from the Highbury stands on Tuesday as he gave his left foot one final rest before his return to action. "He does not use his left foot very much," joked Auxerre coach Guy Roux. "He will be back soon."

Months of uncertainty
Cissé's comeback will end months of uncertainty over the seriousness of his injury. Auxerre were said to be worried about the pain that the problem - sustained in a league game against SC Bastia - was causing the 21-year-old.

French absence
Having scored France's first goal since the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals against Cyprus on 7 September, Cissé has missed the EURO 2000™ qualifying games with Slovenia and Malta.

Recovery programme
He began his convalescence with a ten-day stay at a health centre on the French Riviera and has recently returned to first-team training. Club doctors believe he will be at full fitness in time for the match against PSV next Wednesday.