Valenciennes host Ligue 1 basement side Arles at Stade Nungesser on Saturday hoping to arrest their slide down the French table.  Philippe Montanier's troops are just one point above the drop zone after their 2-0 reverse at Nancy last weekend - a result which extended their disappointing run to one win in five.

But Montanier is confident the loss to Nancy can be a springboard for the team to raise their game. "We must use the defeat to Nancy to bounce back against Arles."

"I believe in the potential of my group. It has always been there, except in the game at Nancy. I hope that was one-off," he said.

Arles began their maiden Ligue 1 campaign with eight straight defeats but have recovered slightly, losing only two of their last six. Their 4-2 loss to Bordeaux last week was perhaps the first sign that their mini-revival is coming to an end, but Montanier is refusing to write of Arles before a ball has even been kicked. "It will be a tough match, I'm sure we do not underestimate them."

"I'll focus on their performances during the previous five games. They responded well lately, including a victory over Caen and a draw in Monaco.

"Arles will be sturdy and solid, but we know they can be dangerous at any time.

"We realize that this is an important game, considering the standings, but we must concentrate on the game and not on the consequences of this encounter," said the hopeful coach.

Valenciennes have had a number of injury problems with which to contend in recent weeks, although Montanier was this week boosted by the return to training of Rafael Schmitz and Vincent Aboubakar, while Gael Danic and Rudy Mater return from bans. Arles have recovered Loic Abenzoar from injury for tomorrow's game, although Fabien Laurenti is suspended after he was sent off against Bordeaux and Thomas Ayasse is ruled out through injury.