Paul Lehoux spoke at a press conference before the match against Le Mans.

With 37 points on the board, FC Rouen has secured its place in the league. How would you sum up this season?

PL: The context has not been easy. We resumed training in mid-July. It has been a satisfactory season. We can still finish this year well before aiming higher next season.

Your season has been hampered by injuries. How do you assess this year on a personal level?

PL: I have a few regrets. I started the season as a starter. I then lost my place due to a heel injury that bothered me for several weeks. There is disappointment, but that’s part of life as a top-level player. I work every day to try to regain my place.

We’re facing the top two teams at the end of the season, which makes for an exciting finish.

PL: Yes, it’s exciting. We’ve secured our place in the league. It’s good to face teams that still have goals to achieve. It’s a little incentive for us to play against teams at the top of the table in stadiums with a great atmosphere.

You’ll be facing your former club, Le Mans, on Friday. How are you approaching this match?

PL: They have to win. We’re going there to play the spoilers. We’ll do everything we can to make life difficult for them. I think it’ll be a good game. Personally, it’ll be a special game for me. I’m in regular contact with some of the players, who are friends of mine. But there’ll be no friendship on the pitch on Friday; we’ll be opponents for 90 minutes.