The Brazilian ruptured ligaments in his right knee a year ago, and his mediocre displays in Lyon's opening Ligue 1 matches this campaign have given rise to speculation he may still be suffering from the injury. The 31-year-old insists that is not the case, and said reports he requires further surgery are wide of the mark.

"I feel great. There's no problem with my knee. What I need is to play. That's all," said Cris, who has been building muscle in his right leg to prevent any relapse of the injury which he suffered against Toulouse in August 2007. "It's true that I'm not 100%, but I'm not 60% either. It's more like 80% or 90% of my capacities. I just need to get up to speed."

'I can't accept being sub'

First choice under Paul Le Guen, Gerard Houllier and Alain Perrin, Cris has recently found himself exposed to the fierce competition for places at OL that many other squad members have already experienced.

New coach Claude Puel preferred Jean-Alain Boumsong to join Mathieu Bodmer in central defence for the 2-2 Champions League draw with Fiorentina last Wednesday, rather than recall the former Corinthians centre-back, who was also on the bench for the derby with St. Etienne.

"In the four years that I've been here, it's the first time that I've been on the bench for two games, and two big games too. I understand, and I respect the decision, but I can't accept it," said the Ligue 1 title-winner, who could return to the starting XI in Normandy. "If I accept it, I'll be on the bench the whole season"