Newcastle are 6 points clear at the top of the Championship after their 0-0 draw with Derby – click here for the best price Championship odds

Lyon coach Claude Puel revealed that he may strengthen his squad this month, but insists he will not pay over the odds for players.

Club president Jean-Michel Aulas has told Puel he can bring in new players, but the coach will only bring in fresh blood if he feels he can get value for money.

“The transfer window looks difficult because there is no question of paying three times what a player is worth,” he said in L’Equipe. “We can be active if the prices are normal. Currently, they are prohibitive.”

Lyon have been linked with moves for Villarreal midfielder Robert Pires and St Etienne right-back Mouhamadou Dabo. Asked about Pires, Puel said: “It’s good to see that OL interests quite a lot of players and can stir up hopes of players returning (to France) from abroad.”

Of Dabo, he added: “It is a player we have followed, but … no, not now.”

Lyon defender Cris, meanwhile, hinted he would like to see Inter’s former France captain Patrick Vieira move to the Stade Gerland.

With Jean Makoun away with Cameroon on African Nations Cup duty this month, Cris said of Vieira: “His experience would be a very important asset.”

Newcastle are 6 points clear at the top of the Championship after their 0-0 draw with Derby – click here for the best price Championship odds