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Infighting affecting Marseille ahead of Rennes clash

Coach Didier Deschamps, who led OM to their first league title in 18 years last season, and the outspoken sports director Jose Anigo have been at odds following a difficult close season.

The row centred on the failure to sign Brazil striker Luis Fabiano from La Liga side Sevilla with the club's president forced to step in as peacemaker.

"I have identified the person(s) who have interest in me leaving," the Marseille-born Anigo said last week.

"Didier and I are not the best friends in the world."

Anigo's comments prompted president Jean-Claude Dassier to try and ease the tension.

"Let me tell you: Anigo represents Marseille's history and Didier is an outstanding coach. So my job is to make them work together," he said.

"I am glad that I could put a few players to rest for that game at Guingamp," said Deschamps.

"But we had two minor injuries and if the players are not fit on Saturday, we will have to use players who were fielded against Guingamp."

Promoted Stade Brest, who are a surprising fourth, are also in action on Saturday as they host third-placed St Etienne in a stern test of the Brittany side's Ligue 1 credentials.

St Etienne are expected to welcome back the league's top scorer Dimitri Payet, who missed his team's League Cup 1-0 win over Girondins Bordeaux on Tuesday through suspension.

Paris Saint-Germain will hope to bounce back from last weekend's home defeat against AJ Auxerre when they travel to Montpellier on Sunday.