Five-time French league champions Lyon will be without nine of their 11-strong World Cup contingent for the traditional season curtain-raiser.

Five of the players who featured in the World Cup defeat at the hands of Italy haven't yet returned to training.

As a result, Lyon manager Gerard Houllier tried unsuccessfully to have their opening league fixture, against Nantes next Friday, postponed in order to help his preparations for the new campaign.

Not that Lyon have suffered too much in pre-season with the champions having won all of their warm-up matches scoring 12 goals and conceding just two in five games.

"The match against PSG is not just a preparation game," said Houllier. "We are ambitious for a good performance."

Gregory Coupet, Eric Abidal, Florent Malouda, Sidney Govou, Sylvain Wiltord, Brazilian stars Juninho, Cris and Fred and Portugal's Tiago will miss Sunday's game in Lyon where the home side are chasing a fifth successive Champions Trophy title.

Defender Sebastien Squillaci could make a first official start for Lyon following his switch from Monaco and he is determined that his new side get off to a flying start.

"Its an important match for everybody, especially for us, the players," said Squillaci.

"We want to win this trophy. To start with a win in the Champions Trophy would be a great thing.

"PSG have made some good signings. We know that the club has players capable of making the difference at any given moment. They are a big team in France and it wont be an easy match."

PSG coach Guy Lacombe is without two World Cup players - French midfielder Vikash Dhorasoo and Portugal striker Pauleta.

"We will have to make the most of our opportunities," said PSG's Ivory Coast midfielder Bonaventure Kalou.