With Nice struggling in Ligue 1, Eric Roy's side have an ideal opportunity to put more daylight between themselves and the bottom three when second-bottom Lens visit tomorrow. A victory over St Etienne last weekend lifted the club four points above the relegation zone and they followed that up with a midweek win over Reims to progress to the semi-final of the Coupe de France. 

However, defeat would suck them back into the relegation battle as it would lift their opponents to within two points of them. Roy said he was not concerned by the pressure which had been building before last weekend's win.

"I do not feel especially threatened. What interests me most is my club, it's not necessarily me," he said. "One of great qualities that a coach must have is to stay calm whatever happens."

What interests me most is my club, it's not necessarily me.
Eric Roy, Nice coach

What concerns Roy more at the moment is what effect the extra time his team played in their cup quarter-final will have tomorrow.

"We have not forgotten we played 120 minutes four days before we face Lens," he added. "Qualification (for the semi-final) is great therapy but we'll see on Saturday night if this game was a disadvantage."

Lens, who are without defender Franck Queudrue who has a thigh problem, are in even more need of the points and know a win could lift them out of the bottom three. Midfielder Julien Sable has told his team-mates they will have to work hard for victory.

"It is an important game for both teams," Sable said. "We're not Barcelona, we do not offer 20 passes in a row. However, if we make every effort we will be rewarded."