Paris St Germain boss Luis Enrique wishes he could be playing for a title every week as he bids to land his first trophy with the club on Wednesday.

The Ligue 1 champions can open 2024 by claiming more silverware as they take on French Cup holders Toulouse for the Champions Trophy at the Parc des Princes.

PSG, winners of the trophy in nine of the past 10 years, go into game as strong favourites having opened up a five-point lead at the top of the table while Toulouse languish in the bottom three.

Enrique, the former Barcelona and Spain manager who took charge last summer, told reporters at a press conference: “We have the opportunity to play a match to win our first title this season, so that’s a source of motivation.

“Our aim is to win every title possible. It would be a reward for all the work we put in last year, so of course we’re very motivated.

“I’d love to be able to play for a trophy every week, like all the players.

“Of course, the motivation is greater than any normal league match. It’s going to be played at ‘home’ but as a neutral ground, so I imagine the atmosphere will be great.”

Toulouse have found the going tough under new manager Carles Martinez Novell on the domestic front but they finished second to Liverpool in their Europa League group.

Enrique expects them to be highly motivated and is taking nothing for granted.

He said: “Paris Saint-Germain lives for this type of match but both teams will be motivated.

“They’re a team that can do a lot with the ball and if you give them time, they’re very good at occupying space. Without the ball, they can also perform well.”

The game comes after PSG began the January transfer window by completing the signing of Brazilian defender Lucas Beraldo.

He could be the first of a number of additions.

Enrique said: “If I can have several players available in each position, I’d obviously be delighted.

“We’ll be paying close attention during this transfer window and we’ll see if there are any opportunities that allow us to improve the team.”

Ousmane Dembele is the latest addition to the PSG injury list with a hamstring problem but back-up goalkeeper Arnau Tenas is available after a shoulder issue.

What the papers say

Paris St Germain and Newcastle are believed to be leading the chase for Kalvin Phillips. According to The Telegraph, the Manchester City midfielder is likely to leave the club this month in search of regular football, having made just two starts for City since his £45million move from Leeds 18 months ago.

The Hull Daily Mail reports Burnley winger Manuel Benson has entered talks with Hull City. The paper says the development comes after the two sides verbally agreed on a loan deal until the end of the season.

Manchester City are reportedly among a wealth of teams interested in 18-year-old Lille defender Leny Yoro. Le 10 Sport, via the Manchester Evening News, says Liverpool and Paris St Germain are also tracking Yoro, but Lille are unlikely to entertain any offers under £78m.

And the Liverpool Echo reports Liverpool are keeping a close eye on Genoa midfielder Morten Frendrup, but are not expected to make a move this month.

Social media round-upPlayers to watch

Kylian Mbappe: Le Parisian says Real Madrid and Liverpool both want the Paris St Germain striker, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

Joshua Kimmich: Manchester United and Liverpool are the frontrunners to nab the Bayern Munich midfielder, according to AS.

Brazil Under-20 defender Lucas Beraldo has joined Paris St Germain from Sao Paulo after agreeing a five-year deal with the French champions.

Beraldo has completed a move for a reported £17.36million after enjoying a breakthrough year in 2023 that saw him make 52 appearances for Sao Paulo.

The 20-year-old joined the club in 2020, starting out for the under-17s before making his first-team debut two years later.

“I’m really happy to be joining a club as ambitious as Paris St Germain,” Beraldo said on the PSG website.

“This is an important step in my career and one that will help me to move forward. I can’t wait to get to know my new team-mates and to take my first steps in this shirt.”

PSG currently top the Ligue 1 table, sitting five points above Nice, as they chase a third successive title.

Kylian Mbappe marked his 25th birthday with a brace as Paris St Germain returned to winning ways in Ligue 1 with a 3-1 home victory over struggling Metz.

Mbappe had been a virtual passenger for long periods before he rifled home his first on the hour mark, and he added a second seven minutes from time to make sure of the points.

It was a welcome response from the shock of conceding a stoppage-time equaliser against Lille at the weekend and maintained PSG’s five-point lead at the top of the table.

But Metz gave them problems and briefly threatened to force their way back into the game after Matthieu Udol headed home their only goal to reduce the deficit in the 72nd minute.

PSG struggled to turn their near-constant possession into chances early in the opening period with Vitinha coming closest during a frantic spell in the visitors’ box.

Mbappe would almost certainly have won a penalty after 15 minutes when he was brought down by Metz goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja in the box, but he strayed marginally offside in the process.

Metz almost grabbed a shock lead 10 minutes later when the persistently dangerous Kevin Van Den Kerkhof crossed into the box and Danilo bounced a header against his own crossbar.

Mbappe drilled his only chance of a frustrating first period into the Metz wall, before PSG finally got on the scoresheet five minutes after half-time.

Lee Kang-in cut inside and found Vitinha whose volley from close-range put the home side 1-0 in front.

Mbappe might have hardly been in the game but he still rose to the occasion when it mattered, unleashing a 25-yard rocket on the hour that gave Oukidja no chance.

Just when the hosts looked set to cruise to victory, Metz gave them something to think about as Udol headed home to reduce the deficit, then the buoyant visitors forced a succession of corners.

But PSG were still carrying plenty of threat and they effectively sealed the win in the 83rd minute when Mbappe pounced on a poor back pass to lift the ball over the Metz keeper.

To round off a memorable night for Mbappe, his 16-year-old brother Ethan made his debut from the substitutes’ bench in the final moments.

Luis Enrique believes Kylian Mbappe can continue to develop at Paris St Germain as the forward prepares to face Metz on his birthday.

Wednesday’s Ligue 1 clash at the Parc des Princes coincidences with Mbappe’s 25th birthday, with the France international having already hit 16 league goals in 15 games this season.

Mbappe, who scored a hat-trick in France’s World Cup final defeat to Argentina, has been linked with a move to Real Madrid.

Meanwhile, reports surfaced last week suggesting Mbappe’s relationship with Enrique has soured – but the Spaniard insists he wants to see the former Monaco man continue to make waves in Paris.

“Kylian is still very young at 25,” he told reporters at his press conference ahead of the visit of Metz.

“He is the age of my son which is quite something. I hope that Kylian Mbappe achieves so much more success both collectively and individually.

“We hope that will be here at PSG and we hope to help him develop.

“Of course, he is at a fantastic level and I’ve had the chance to get to know him as a person. So I am very lucky to have a player like him in my squad.

“With everything he brings, his individual statistics, he is impressive. He is at the top of world football”

PSG lead the way in Ligue 1, while Metz sit just three points clear of the relegation zone following their return to the top flight.

Despite the gap, Enrique is not expecting an easy night against Laszlo Boloni’s side.

“It will be a really difficult game,” he said.

“They will leave us with very little spaces to attack. We will need to be very precise and accurate to exploit those spaces.”

Enrique took charge in the French capital in the summer and has enjoyed his first half-season coaching in Ligue 1.

“I’m very pleased with the first half of the season in terms of results,” he added.

“Sometimes there were points when we weren’t so good but we are top of Ligue 1 and we hope to stay there.

“It is just the beginning, the most difficult part is still to be done in the second half of the season.”

PSG will be without Ousmane Dembele for the game, the winger sitting out as a precaution over a potential hamstring injury.

Lille denied Paris St Germain in stoppage time as Jonathan David earned his side a dramatic 1-1 draw.

Kylian Mbappe’s 68th-minute penalty, his 16th goal of the Ligue 1 season, had PSG on course for victory and a seven-point lead in the table.

Substitute David headed home in the 94th minute, though, to reward a late flurry from the home side.

Mbappe was well marshalled in the early stages by Nabil Bentaleb, who cleared when Ousmane Dembele’s cutback was just behind the France frontman after a scorching run down the wing.

Lille’s first attacks of note came when Edon Zhegrova twice cut inside PSG left-back Lucas Hernandez on to his left foot – he flashed a low shot just wide of the near post from the first chance then sliced across goal from the second after the ball bobbled.

Dembele shot wide after he was threaded in by Lee Kang-in for the clearest chance of the first half.

Lucas Chevalier tipped over Vitinha’s fierce near-post drive and defender Leny Yoro put the ball just over his own bar from the resulting corner.

Alexsandro made a crucial interception from another Dembele cross as the half ended goalless.

Dembele’s return ball just eluded Vitinha as PSG began the second half on the front foot, though Angel Gomes whistled a deflected effort just wide at the other end. Benjamin Andre headed wide from the corner.

Yusuf Yazici’s shot was blocked in a scramble in the PSG box as Les Dogues got their tails up.

Alexsandro prevented Vitinha’s scoop reaching Mbappe and then blocked the striker’s shot later in the same attack.

Bafode Diakite’s clumsy challenge on Hernandez just after the hour mark gifted Mbappe the chance from the spot and earned the defender a booking. Mbappe could be seen wishing Chevalier “bonne chance (good luck)” before firing crisply past him into the left side of the net.

Mbappe delivered a perfect cross moments later which was wasted by Dembele’s poor control.

Yazici’s celebrations were quickly cut short by an offside flag after he slammed home Gomes’ through-ball before Mbappe clipped wide from substitute Achraf Hakimi’s cross.

Another superb run by Zhegrova set up Yazici, whose shot was deflected wide by Marquinhos, and keeper Arnau Tenas picked David’s low cross off the toes of Gomes.

Tiago Santos’ deflected effort dipped just over the crossbar and Tenas smothered David’s effort after brilliant work by Adam Ounas – Lille’s first shot on target, in the 92nd minute.

It was not to be their last. Marco Asensio, somehow finding himself in the right-back position, gave possession away to Remy Cabella and, though Ounas’ deflected shot was saved, David nodded in the rebound.

The result left PSG five points clear of second-placed Nice, with Lille lying fourth.

Luis Enrique has warned Paris St Germain’s Ligue 1 rivals that his side can only improve in the second half of the season.

The reigning champions have taken 36 points from their first 15 games of the season, winning 11, drawing three and losing only once, and travel to Lille on Sunday having won their last eight games in the league.

Warren Zaire-Emery’s second-half strike also salvaged a 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund in midweek to ensure PSG advanced to the last 16 of the Champions League as runners-up in Group F.

However, Enrique feels there is more to come as they prepare to face a Lille side who are unbeaten in their last 14 matches in all competitions and have kept five consecutive clean sheets.

“I have no doubt that we will be better in the second half of the season,” Enrique said in his pre-match press conference. “All my teams have been better afterwards.

“We will regain players who were injured, but we also have the possibility of buying other players if needed. I have no reason to be pessimistic.

“When I see what we have accomplished in the first part of the season, I can only be positive.

“Lille have been unbeaten for a long time and are a team that plays quite like us. They have a very good coach [Paulo Fonseca], I admire the style of football he plays.

“They can cause a lot of problems for the opposition. They play well both with and without the ball, they have a very good defence, they’re aggressive. They’re one of the best teams in the league.”

PSG’s place in the last 16 of the Champions League was up in the air in the final round of group fixtures, with AC Milan and Newcastle poised to take advantage of any slip up.

That looked a possibility when Karim Adeyemi fired Dortmund in front early in the second half and Newcastle held a 1-0 lead over Milan, but Zaire-Emery quickly equalised for PSG and Milan fought back to win 2-1 and secure a Europa League berth.

“We gave our all in every match and we faced top opponents,” Enrique said of his side’s Champions League campaign to date. “Our stats were good.

“We are positive and optimistic, we know that there will be other big matches. We always want to improve, it’s the club’s objective.

“This group in the Champions League has helped us to grow, there were some very good opponents, worthy of the round of 16 or quarter-finals.”

Granada’s LaLiga match against Athletic Bilbao was abandoned following the death of a home fan at the Estadio Nuevo los Carmenes.

The visitors went ahead through an early goal from Inaki Williams, before the game was stopped after around 15 minutes after officials were alerted to a problem in the stands.

As the person received ongoing medical treatment, the players were eventually taken off the field.

LaLiga later confirmed the supporter had died and the match would be rescheduled.

“Granada CF vs. Athletic Club de Bilbao has been suspended following the tragic death of a fan at the Estadio Nuevo los Cármenes,” a league statement read.

“Our condolences go out to their family and friends, as well as to all Granada CF fans. A rescheduled date and time for the match will be announced in the near future.”

A statement from Granada added: “We want to send our most sincere condolences to the family and friends, as well as to the entire Granada family.”

Athletic Bilbao said in a statement: “LaLiga and the two clubs have agreed to call off the match due to the death of a fan at Los Carmenes.

“Athletic Club expresses its deepest condolences. Our thoughts are with the person’s family and loved ones.”

In Sunday’s other early kick-off, Atletico Madrid beat Almeria 2-1 thanks to first-half goals from Alvaro Morata and Angel Correa for an eighth successive home league win this season.

Bayern Munich suffered a spectacular 5-1 defeat as Eintracht Frankfurt ran riot to take their unbeaten Bundesliga record in style.

Thomas Tuchel named his strongest possible side – including Manuel Neuer, Leroy Sane and Harry Kane – in a bid to bridge the gap on leaders Bayer Leverkusen three days ahead of their Champions League trip to Manchester United.

But Eintracht were rampant at the Deutsche Bank Arena as Bayern conceded five goals in the opening 60 minutes of a Bundesliga match for the first time since 1975.

Eric Ebimbe scored twice and Omar Marmoush, Hugo Larsson and Ansgar Knauff were also on target with Joshua Kimmich, who scored moments before the interval to make the score 3-1, offering Bayern brief hope.

RB Leipzig triumphed in the battle between fourth and fifth by winning 3-2 at Borussia Dortmund.

Mats Hummels was sent off after 15 minutes for a rash challenge on Luis Openda and Leipzig took advantage through a Ramy Bensebaini own goal.

Niklas Sule equalised right on half-time but Christoph Baumgartner and Yussuf Poulssen scored before Niclas Fullkrug’s late consolation.

Jude Bellingham grabbed his 16th goal of the season in Real Madrid’s 1-1 LaLiga draw at Real Betis.

The England midfielder netted in the 52nd minute but it was not enough for three points as Aitor Ruibal hit back.

The result took Madrid a point clear at the top of the table but Girona and Barcelona – second and third respectively – will have a chance to take advantage when they face each other on Sunday.

Fifth-placed Real Sociedad eased to a 3-0 win at Villarreal with Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi and Takefusa Kubo scoring in a seven-minute spell before the break.

Inter Milan returned to the Serie A summit with a 4-0 stroll over Udinese at San Siro.

Hakan Calhanoglu, Federico Dimarco and Marcus Thuram rewarded Nerazzurri dominance in a seven-minute scoring burst before half-time. Lautaro Martinez added his 14th goal of the season six minutes from time.

Luis Muriel struck a stunning stoppage-time winner for Atalanta as they beat AC Milan 3-2.

Atalanta twice led through Ademola Lookman but Milan looked to be taking a point as they hit back through Olivier Giroud and Luka Jovic.

But Rossoneri captain Davide Calabria was sent off in stoppage time and Atalanta then sealed victory for the first time in five matches as Muriel cheekily backheeled past Mike Maignan from close range.

Verona drew 1-1 with Lazio despite losing Ondrej Duda to a 77th-minute red card. Mattia Zaccagni put Lazio ahead before Thomas Henry equalised.

Randal Kolo Muani returned to haunt former club Nantes with a late winner in Paris St Germain’s 2-1 Ligue 1 victory at Parc des Princes.

Bradley Barcola produced a superb angled finish four minutes before the break, but Nantes levelled after the restart through Mostafa Mohamed.

Kolo Muani struck from close range with seven minutes remaining to give PSG an eighth successive league win.

Ten-man Monaco moved into second spot – six points behind PSG – with a 2-1 success at Rennes.

Brazilian full-back Vanderson put Monaco ahead before being sent off, but Youssouf Fofana provided breathing space and ensured Benjamin Bourigeaud’s last-minute penalty was no more than scant consolation.

Randal Kolo Muani returned to haunt former club Nantes with a late winner to send Paris St Germain into their Champions League showdown against Borussia Dortmund on the back of a victory.

The 25-year-old came off the bench at the Parc des Princes to earn PSG an eighth successive Ligue 1 win which left the reigning champions six points clear of second-placed Monaco ahead of Wednesday night’s crucial trip to Germany.

Mostafa Mohamed had earlier cancelled out Bradley Barcola’s fine opener as the visitors threatened to build upon last weekend’s superb 1-0 win over Nice in new head coach Jocelyn Gourvennec’s first game in charge, but ultimately they left on the wrong end of a 2-1 scoreline.

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With first-choice keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma suspended following his red card at Le Havre and potential replacements Keylor Navas and Alexandre Letellier injured, PSG boss Luis Enrique, who had skipper Marquinhos available after injury, handed 22-year-old Arnau Tenas a first senior start
in goal.

Kylian Mbappe underwent treatment on the pitch after feeling discomfort during the warm-up but he showed no ill-effects, forcing a save from Nantes keeper Alban Lafont inside the opening 20 seconds as the hosts flexed their muscles early on.

However, they lacked precision in the final third and with the visitors organised and dogged, genuine chances were at a premium as the half unfolded.

Indeed, it took a fingertip save by Tenas to keep out Florent Mollet’s dipping 15th-minute strike and although defender Eray Comert had to make an important block to deny Mbappe seconds later, Nantes were more than holding their own.

Lee Kang-in curled a 25th-minute shot harmlessly across Lafont’s goal when a cross might have been the better option, but the keeper was a relieved man 14 minutes before the break when he came to punch Lee’s free-kick away and saw Vitinha loop the loose ball over both him and his crossbar as he back-pedalled.

But he was beaten four minutes before the break when Barcola exchanged passes with Vitinha to get in behind defender Marcus Coco and then curled a shot across Lafont and inside the far post.

Achraf Hakimi saw a volley blocked by Jean-Kevin Duverne and Mbappe miskicked with an acrobatic attempt in stoppage time as the home side turned on the style, but with no tangible reward.

Mbappe was appealing in vain for a 54th-minute penalty after exchanging passes with Barcola and surging into the box before going to ground, and his disappointment increased within seconds when Mohamed powered a header past the helpless Tenas from Mollet’s corner.

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Mohamed tested Tenas from distance as Nantes sensed an opportunity, but Barcola might have claimed a second goal of the night when he raced in on goal and chipped the ball over the advancing Lafont, but into the side-netting.

A frustrated Mbappe saw a second penalty claim waved away after colliding with Jean-Charles Castelletto with 22 minutes remaining, but his side regained the lead with seven minutes remaining when Lee picked out Lucas Hernandez at the far post and although Lafont saved his header, Kolo Muani stabbed home the rebound.

Mollet headed straight at Tenas amid a late flurry, but PSG saw out time to claim a hard-fought win.

Paris St Germain’s teenage sensation Warren Zaire-Emery is set for a swift return to action – less than three weeks after suffering an injury playing for France.

The 17-year-old midfielder was initially expected to be sidelined for the remainder of 2023 due to a sprained ankle on his international debut – a 14-0 win over Gibraltar – on November 20.

But PSG boss Luis Enrique confirmed Zaire-Emery is in contention to feature in Saturday evening’s Ligue 1 match against Nantes.

“Warren Zaire-Emery is doing well,” the head coach told a press conference.

“He trained well. He is available. It is fantastic news for the players, for the team.”

While there was positive news on Zaire-Emery, who has scored twice in 11 league outings this term, PSG have issues in goal.

Former Spain Under-21 keeper Arnau Tenas is in line to make his first senior start as Gianluigi Donnarumma is suspended following his red card in last weekend’s 2-0 win at Le Havre, while Keylor Navas and Alexandre Letellier are injured.

Enrique has backed 22-year-old rookie Tenas, who came off the bench following Donnarumma’s dismissal, to fill the void.

“I’m happy to have so many good players around me,” said Enrique.

“Regarding Arnau, it’s important to highlight that he worked hard to be ready when we needed him.

“That’s what happened last week, he turned up. We know how good he is, and he works hard to be ready at any given moment.”

PSG have won seven league matches in a row ahead of the weekend game at Parc des Princes.

The fixture comes four days before the league leaders attempt to secure progression to the last 16 of the Champions League away at Borussia Dortmund.

Enrique insists his side are not looking beyond ninth-place Nantes, who last week appointed Jocelyn Gourvennec as their new manager following the departure of Pierre Aristouy.

Gourvennec secured a 1-0 victory over Nice in his first match to end the club’s poor run of form, which had brought just a single point from the previous four games.

“The game against Nantes is a big one, and we have another big game in a few days’ time but we’re focused on Saturday’s game,” said Enrique.

“Nantes have got a new manager, who has changed a few things around but will still want his team to perform well against us.

“It’s important for us to play well at home in order to prepare for the game against Dortmund in the best way possible.”

Spain midfielder Fabian Ruiz is unavailable as he undergoes further tests after dislocating his right shoulder against Le Havre, while Achraf Hakimi missed training on Friday due to personal reasons.

Presnel Kimpembe and Nuno Mendes remain sidelined but Marquinhos is available to return following three matches out with a hamstring problem.

Kylian Mbappe’s first-half strike helped lift 10-man Paris St Germain to a 2-0 victory at Le Havre after Gianluigi Donnarumma was sent off 10 minutes into the Ligue 1 contest.

Hosts Le Havre at times came close to an equaliser, but instead saw their five-game unbeaten streak snapped while making it five games in six without a goal.

Vitinha netted against the run of play in the 89th minute to seal the result for PSG, who have now won seven consecutive league matches for the first time since September 2021.

The result gave the league leaders a boost after Tuesday’s disappointing Champions League draw against Newcastle, with the Parisians now four points ahead of second-placed Nice.

Le Havre wasted a golden chance after the ball pinged around the 18-yard box before landing at the feet of Gautier Lloris, who would have netted an opener but for the quick reaction of Carlos Soler to clear off the line.

Then goalkeeper Donnarumma, already under scrutiny, completely misjudged a challenge on Josue Casimir and immediately saw red for a high boot.

On came Arnau Tenas to make his PSG debut, replacing forward Bradley Barcola, who boss Luis Enrique decided would be the necessary sacrifice.

The visitors would not be pinned back and Mbappe was first denied by a good save by Arthur Desmas with a left-footed effort but made no mistake with his second attempt, firing through three blue shirts from centre before the ball clipped the inside of the post and crossed in for a 23rd-minute opener.

Mbappe had the ball in the back of the net again before the break but the offside flag was raised, while Casimir could only watch agonisingly on when what should have been an equaliser sailed just wide of the post after finding himself in space inside the area.

Le Havre, desperate get something out of the man advantage, applied more pressure to begin the second half as Yassine Kechta forced Tenas to tip the ball over the crossbar, while Mohamed Bayo sent a weak effort into the arms of the replacement PSG goalkeeper.

Ousmane Dembele nearly doubled the Parisians’ advantage, his effort clipping the edge of the post before going wide, before Tenas saved Danilo Pereira from scoring an own goal after Bayo’s attempt took a deflection off the PSG defender.

Pereira would soon prevent substitute Nabil Alioui a chance at levelling, while the hosts showed off their own defensive prowess when Christopher Operi prevented a threatening Dembele from getting a decent shot away.

Alioui skied an effort then twice-tested Tenas, who was quick to react at his near post as the hosts desperately searched for an equaliser, Antoine Joujou side-footing the ball past the post before Alioui tried again.

But there was no coming back after Vitinha’s strike took a deflection off Lloris and in to cap off a disappointing ending to a once-promising afternoon for the hosts.

Luis Enrique laughed off suggestions Paris St Germain lack a cutting edge ahead of a tricky Ligue 1 trip to stingy Le Havre.

PSG registered 31 shots during their midweek Champions League clash with Newcastle but required a controversial late penalty from Kylian Mbappe to salvage a 1-1 draw.

The reigning champions are the highest scorers in France’s top-flight, having recorded an impressive 34 goals in just 13 games.

Head coach Enrique called for perspective in the wake of a frustrating midweek meeting with the Magpies and insisted he would be more concerned if his team were not creating chances.

“This is very funny,” the Spaniard replied with a bemused expression when asked about a potential finishing problem among his squad at his pre-match press conference.

“A team that scores three goals per game (on average) and generates 10 clear chances in the Champions League against a team like Newcastle?

“If we have a finishing problem, what does that mean for everyone else?

“Football is a game of mistakes. I would be worried if we weren’t making goal-scoring chances.

“Sometimes we will score more than others, that is life. We can’t all be inspired every time. I’m not worried about that.

“Sometimes we missed good chances, that is how it is. But we need to be sensible here.”

PSG are on a run of six successive league wins following last Friday’s thumping 5-2 success over Monaco.

Meanwhile, Le Havre have registered four goalless draws in their last five outings but sit in the top half of the table following promotion last term.

Enrique believes the Newcastle game will serve as good preparation for breaking down stubborn opposition on Sunday afternoon in Normandy.

“Le Havre are a team that don’t concede many goals and don’t score many either,” he said.

“I think they’ll defend with a low block, so good movement will be necessary.

“We’ve seen, especially against Newcastle, that even when the opponent defends deep, we can still manage to create a lot of chances.

“Therefore, it will be important to be well-positioned, to move the ball well, and to get our shots on target. It’s going to be a difficult match.”

PSG remain without defender Marquinhos due to a torn hamstring.

Warren Zaire-Emery, Nuno Mendes and Presnel Kimpembe are also still sidelined, while goalkeeper Alexandre Letellier (groin) faces a fitness test.

Paris St Germain moved four points clear at the top of Ligue 1 after a display of ruthless finishing secured an entertaining 5-2 win over Monaco at the Parc des Princes.

Kylian Mbappe, who netted his 14th goal of the season from the penalty spot, was one of five different goalscorers for the home side, who have now won six games in a row in the league.

Monaco began the game just three points behind PSG and contributed fully to an end-to-end contest, but the visitors ultimately had no answer to the firepower at Luis Enrique’s disposal.

Goncalo Ramos had the first effort on target after six minutes with a curling shot from just outside the area which was straight at goalkeeper Philipp Kohn, while at the other end Takumi Minamino’s shot was deflected into the side netting.

Mbappe then brought an excellent save out of Kohn as he tried to steer a low shot into the corner from 12 yards, before Soungoutou Magassa’s free header from a corner was tipped over by Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The visitors thought they had opened the scoring in the 14th minute when Folarin Balogun’s shot was spilled by Donnarumma, who at least made amends by reacting quickly to block the follow-up effort from Vanderson.

Vanderson made no mistake at the second attempt, rounding Donnarumma before rolling the ball into the empty net, only for the flag to go up due to Balogun being offside when he received the ball from Aleksandr Golovin.

An entertaining game soon got the goal it deserved when Ousmane Dembele’s shot was spilled by Kohn to leave Ramos with a simple tap-in.

But just four minutes later another goalkeeping error allowed Monaco to equalise, Donnarumma coming under pressure from Balogun and hitting his attempted clearance straight to Minamino, who fired home left-footed.

Kohn again saved well from Mbappe before the home side reclaimed the lead in the 38th minute, Magassa bringing down Dembele in the area and Mbappe giving Kohn no chance from the penalty spot.

Minamino brought good saves from Donnarumma immediately before and after the interval but it was PSG who scored next – and twice in quick succession – to seemingly put the result beyond doubt.

Dembele raced on to a quickly-taken free-kick from Fabian Ruiz, cleverly flicked the ball forward with his left foot and then smashed a shot into the far corner with his right from a narrow angle.

Less than two minutes later it was 4-1 as Vitinha took Mbappe’s pass and curled a delightful shot from the edge of the area in off the post, but Monaco refused to throw in the towel and Balogun slotted home from Minamino’s pass for a third goal in the space of five minutes.

Monaco continued to push forward and Denis Zakaria was guilty of a poor miss when presented with a clear header from Golovin’s corner, but Randal Kolo Muani completed the scoring for PSG in injury time after Monaco failed to clear a corner.

Luis Enrique is confident his Paris St Germain squad have the depth needed to cope without injured captain Marquinhos and France starlet Warren Zaire-Emery as they prepare to face Ligue 1 rivals Monaco.

Brazil defender Marquinhos picked up a hamstring problem during the World Cup qualifier defeat against Argentina, which PSG expect to see him sidelined for at least 10 days and so will also miss next week’s Champions League match against Newcastle.

The Ligue 1 leaders were already facing up to 17-year-old midfielder Zaire-Emery missing for the rest of 2023 with an ankle injury suffered while he scored on his senior France debut against Gibraltar.

Enrique, though, feels there is enough cover to see his side produce the required performance when they host third-placed Monaco on Friday night.

“We have a squad that is the best of the (Ligue 1) championship, in my view. The only thing that every time a player gets hurt, it’s sad, because they won’t be able to play,” Enrique said.

“However, the number of players is very broad and is at a very high level.”

Enrique told a press conference: “We are used to it (injuries), but we have to make sure that the players get back.

“We take stock of what happened to the players, and we advise according to each one to have the best possible recovery.”

Monaco sits just three points behind PSG and Enrique warned against complacency as his side look to maintain their seven-match unbeaten domestic run.

Enrique said: “Monaco is a team I really like. They don’t waste time calculating, they don’t ponder about the result, they press hard.

“They always play at a good level and are the team that has created the most chances behind us.”

The PSG boss added: “It is an important match because they are a direct rival, but there is lots of time left to go in the league and there are many games to be played.

“It is not decisive, but we want to play to a better level than our opponent and have more chances,

“It is going to be a difficult match – but I have never seen an easy match in Ligue 1.”

Monaco boss Adi Hutter is expecting an open encounter at the Parc des Princes.

“We are not going to change our style of play, even if it is PSG, the leader and favourite for the title,” he told a press conference.

“They are very dangerous because they have already scored 29 goals, compared to 25 for us, which is not so bad.

“They are on five consecutive victories, so it will certainly be an open match for both sides.”

Monaco look set to welcome back Brazilian right-back Vanderson for the first time since late September.

Former Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu is also stepping up his recovery following groin surgery, but is not expected to feature against PSG.