St Etienne defender Sylvain Marchal has urged his team-mates to remain focused when they return to Ligue 1 action after a two-week break against Toulouse.

With last weekend's match against Lorient having been called off after just 10 minutes due to a frozen pitch, Les Verts have not played a full league match since their 3-0 defeat at Lille on January 28.

Les Verts lie a place behind this weekend's opponents in eighth position in the standings.

The temperature at the Stadium Municipal is not forecast to get above freezing tomorrow, but Marchal wants the only concern to be getting the right result.

"When I was playing for Metz, I also experienced some very cold winters," he told club website www.asse.fr.

"They tinkered with training and alternated it between indoor and outdoor sessions.

"You have to adapt but it's true that right now it's particularly cold. Temperatures as low as this are still pretty rare.

"We just hope that these conditions will not last forever.

"In times like these where there are exceptional circumstances, the danger could be to relax.

"We must stay focused and not lose sight of the goal of the week: preparing for Sunday's game against Toulouse.

"This is a match with a direct competitor because Toulouse sail the same waters as us. This was also the case against Rennes and Lorient. These are games we must negotiate well.

"This is a team that has great potential. In recent years it has enhanced its youth. This team has a lot of physical impact and power."

Les Verts will be boosted by the return of Gabon international Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this weekend after African Nations Cup duty.

The forward's return looks timely as Florent Sinama-Pongolle will start a three-match ban after tomorrow's fixture.

TFC will be without midfielder Moussa Sissoko, who is suspended after his red card in the 2-0 defeat to Bordeaux.

Mohamed Fofana, Yohann Pele and Jean-Daniel Akpa-Akpro are also unavailable for the hosts.