Under the guidance of new manager Will Still, Lens can be enthused by the start they have made to the campaign, despite crashing out of Europe in qualifying.

After seven matches under Still, Lens' only defeat remains that tough night in Athens against Panathinaikos, where the Blood and Gold were eliminated from the Conference League at the final hurdle.

However, when qualifying for the Champions League two years ago, Lens also had no European distractions to contend with, so they will hope lightning can strike twice.

After five games, they look like challengers too, as Still's side currently sit fourth and remain unbeaten.

After the two wins above Angers and Brest, there are three consecutive draws with Monaco, Lyon and Rennes, three clubs who are also likely to participate in this season's European competition.

Lens has the best defensive record in the division so far, conceding just two goals, and they are yet to concede to anyone at home, making the road trip to Nice quite daunting.

Lens will remain without defender Kevin Danso, who is set to undergo minor heart surgery after a problem appeared on his medical which prevented him from completing a move to Roma last month.

Despite the serious issue at hand, Danso could return as early as next month, the same timeframe which has been placed on recoveries for both Jimmy Cabot (knee) and Martin Satriano (calf).

Fiorentina loanee M'Bala Nzola scored his first Lens goal off the bench to equalise six minutes into added time at Rennes, and could be rewarded with his first start for the club.

Jhoanner Chaves was not immediately available for Lens after returning from international duty with Ecuador, but he started in the draw at Rennes and should retain his place at left wing-back.

Haise picked largely the same side from the 8-0 thrashing of St Etienne for their Europa League clash with Real Sociedad in midweek.

The only changes saw Tom Louchet and Badredine Bouanani come in for Tanguy Ndombele and the injured Mohamed-Ali Cho.

Cho remains a doubt for this one along with Hichem Boudaoui, and Morgan Sanson should not be too far away from a return, but the likes of Terem Moffi, Gaetan Laborde and Jeremie Boga are all confirmed absentees.

Lens possible starting lineup:

Samba; Gradit, Khusanov, Medina; Frankowski, Thomasson, Diouf, Jhoanner Chaves; Zaroury, Sotoca, Nzola

Nice possible starting lineup:

Bulka; Ndayishimiye, Bombito, Dante; Clauss, Rosario, Ndombele, Bard; Bouanani, Guessand, Moukoko