Juninho to stay at Lyon

Lyon's creative playermaker Juninho has hit out at Gregory Coupet, who suggested yesterday that he would be leavng the club; and has affirmed his desire to stay with the French champions for the rest of his career.

The set-piece specialist has no intention of leaving the club, even though Man City and Newcastle were linked with a move for the Brazilian this summer.

Juninho said: "My family prefers to remain in Lyon to live. I do not know what I will do. I think that I will play my two high level seasons here at Lyon.

"I had asked to leave at the end last season but Bernard Lacombe and the president convinced to stay."