Wiltord and Mandanda in Marseille focus

Striker Sylvain Wiltord’s rebirth and Steve Mandanda’s midweek disappointment for France may be on coach Eric Gerets’ mind as Marseille focus on Sunday’s south coast derby at Monaco.

Goalkeeper Mandanda showed poor positioning when Argentina’s Jonas Gutierrez opened the scoring in the 2-0 friendly victory over France at Marseille’s Stade Velodrome on Wednesday, and he was less than imperious for Lionel Messi’s second.

French league leaders Lyon host Le Havre on Sunday, as they continue their quest to stave off second-placed Bordeaux, who entertain midtable Grenoble on Saturday.

Lyon have 46 points, with Bordeaux and third-placed Paris Saint Germain, who welcome St Etienne to the Parc des Princes in Saturday’s late match, on 42. Marseille, in the UEFA Cup spot of fourth, are a point further back on 41.

Marseille will no doubt be looking over their shoulder in their attempt to qualify for Europe with Toulouse, Lille and Rennes closely challenging within three points of them.

Mandanda’s shot-blocking abilities and athleticism however are not always matched by good allround positioning and reliability with Thursday’s French sporting press claiming he has still some way to go before he is his country’s clear, first-choice keeper.

Meanwhile, Marseille’s former Arsenal and France international striker Sylvain Wiltord is, at 34, having a new lease of life at Marseille.

Having signed a new contract in the middle of last month till the end of the season, Gerets has shown faith in the veteran.

Wiltord, once Arsenal’s record signing of 13 million pounds in 2001/02, has had success at the highest levels for both club and country.

English Premiership winners medals in 2002 and 2004 with Arsenal followed his Euro 2000 victory with France though the tail end of his career with Arsenal was less than heroic.

Hailed by the north stand at the Stade Velodrome after Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Bordeaux on Sunday, when Sylvain had a solid game and even a goal disallowed, Marseille sporting director Jose Anigo said he had a chance to make his mark.

Anigo told l’Equipe: “We have confidence in him (Wiltord) on a daily basis. Though Eric Gerets has not promised him anything, he has also made it very clear to him he has as good a chance as anyone else of playing.”

Meanwhile, Monaco midfielder Jerko Leko is hoping of making his injury return this weekend against Marseille, though he is already looking further ahead in time.

The Croatian international broke his cheekbone at the start of the year in a friendly against Juventus but is hopeful of making the starting 11 for the clash against Marseille.

“It’s true that January didn’t start well for me with the facial fracture, but I’ve worked very hard and now I feel like I’m back to my best,” said the former Dynamo Zagreb midfielder.

“I hope I get the chance to play against Marseille this weekend.”

French league fixtures

Saturday

Auxerre v Lille, Bordeaux v Grenoble, Caen v Lorient, Le Mans v Nice, Rennes v Nancy, Valenciennes v Nantes, Paris Saint Germain v St Etienne

Sunday

Lyon v Le Havre, Sochaux v Toulouse, Monaco v Marseille