Lille coach Rene Girard has called on his side to show more strength and determination as they travel to face Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1.

Girard's team take on St-Etienne on Friday evening knowing that a win for their opponents will see them close the gap between the sides to just three points.

"Let's get back on track by using our strengths: rigour, determination, enthusiasm, all the ingredients that allowed us to do so well in the first half of the season," Girard told reporters.

"Saint-Etienne know this is a chance to close the gap on us. We didn't perform against Reims so we cannot afford to repeat that at the Geoffroy-Guichard against a team who, like us, are competing for a place in the top five."

Lille are currently sitting in third position in the Ligue 1 table.