Sylvain Marveaux has welcomed their French influx this past week.

Marveaux admits he was taken aback by the arrival of five compatriots last month, three of whom could make their home debuts today.

He said: "When I joined, I could never have imagined having so many team-mates from my own country.

"It is a weird sensation, with so many Frenchmen here, including my good friend Yoan Gouffran. I was never expecting anything like this."

But the former Rennes winger insists the Gallic influx will not cause cliques inside the dressing room.

"The new guys have good mentality," he said. "Like me, it was always their dream to play in England. They want to get to know everyone and not just mix with their French team-mates.

"It is useful some of us were already here so they can ask us questions and we can act as translators. But they want to learn the language and embrace everything. This is a great opportunity for us.

"They know this is a big club and although we have had problems this season, the future is bright."