ESTAC Troyes - Olympique de Marseille

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- Kick-off: 20:00 GMT

Marseille bolstered their midfield on Monday with the loan signing of Atalanta star Malinovskyi, the Ukraine international joining until the end of the season with an option to make his move permanent in June.

An attacking midfielder who had 20 goal-involvements from 36 games in Serie A two seasons ago, Malinovskyi should prove a useful acquisition for Igor Tudor as he looks to steer his side to at least a UEFA Champions League finish this season.

Long-term interest

"Ruslan was a target last summer," Tudor said ahead of the trip to Troyes. "He's a quality player in the final third. He has a good shot and a lot of skill. We'll have to see whether we use him as an attacker or in behind."

Watch: Highlights of Marseille's 2-1 win at Montpellier

OM are third on 36 points, eight behind their Classique rivals and Ligue 1 Uber Eats leaders Paris Saint-Germain, having won each of the last four league games, although they come into this one without either of their first-choice full-backs.

Jonathan Clauss has a groin injury while Nuno Tavares is suspended having been sent off in the 2-1 win at Montpellier Hérault SC last Monday. Issa Kaboré and Sead Kolasinac afford OM impressive strength in depth in the position, though.

Malinovskyi chance

With Dimitri Payet rolling his ankle, Malinovskyi could get a start although Bamba Dieng is pushing to lead the line after scoring against Hyères FC in the Coupe de France on Saturday, which could see Alexis Sanchez drop into the area Malinovskyi would otherwise occupy.

Troyes begin the day in 13th, 10 places and 18 points worse off than their visitors to the Stade de l'Aube, but they have turned a corner since Patrick Kisnorbo replaced Bruno Irles as manager, picking up four of a possible six points.

Watch: Highlights of Troyes' 3-2 win at Strasbourg

Troyes were then knocked out of the Coupe de France by LOSC on Sunday but Kisnorbo, who is the first Australian Ligue 1 Uber Eats head coach, was philosophical about that defeat.

Kisnorbo: 'Nine changes'

"We might nine changes from our usual team," he said. "The players did well and met my expectations. It would've been nice to do well in the cup, but we don't have the same squad depth as some others. The youngsters did well."

Mama Baldé returns from suspension, but Renaud Ripart has yet to let the former Melbourne City boss down and could keep his place up front. Karim Azamoum remains sidelined with a ruptured cruciate ligament.

Possible teams

Troyes: Lis; T. Baldé, Palmer-Brown, Salmier, Conté; Kouamé, Chavalerin; Bruus, Lopes, Odobert; Ripart

Marseille: Lopez; Mbemba, Bailly, Balerdi; Kaboré, Rongier, Veretout, Kolasinac; Under, Alexis; Dieng

Picture credit: Olympique de Marseille