Cris targets United comeback

Brazilian defender aims for Champions League return

By Patrick Haond   Last updated: 27th December 2007

Cris lyon

Cris: Lyon love

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Lyon defender Cris has targeted a return to action in time for the UEFA Champions League clash with Manchester United.

Cris, 30, has been sidelined since August with a knee ligament injury but the Brazilian is hopeful he will have recovered fitness in time for the second round of the Champions League.

United visit Lyon on 20th February before Sir Alex Ferguson's side entertain the French champions for the return leg on 4th March and Cris expects to be back for the knock-out double-header.

It had been hoped Cris would be available to return to France from a rehabilitation period in Brazil on 2nd January, but the centre-back has revealed he has yet to recover full match fitness and he would prefer to wait for the trip to Old Trafford.

Serious injury

"I have asked the chairman for a few extra days before being fit enough to come back and join the group for training," Cris told L'Equipe.

"I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but at the beginning it was so hard.

"It has been a very serious injury and I will need time to recover trust. At the end of January there are two international matches which will allow me to finalise my comeback.

"I will play with the reserves to be fit to play in the Champions League match. I would like to be present to play in the Champions League."

Love story

Meanwhile, Cris - who reportedly turned down moves to Milan and Juventus in the past - insists he would like to end his career at Lyon after holding discussions with club chairman Jean-Michel Aulas.

"I am experiencing a very beautiful love story with your country (France)," Cris added.

"I talked with the chairman because I would like to end my career at Lyon. I told him: 'chairman, if you want me to stay, I will stay'.

"We will try to prolong my contract to terminate my career at 35 or 36 years old. My club is Lyon and I really hope it will be my last one."