<H1>Olympique Lyon striker Fred out for rest of year</H1><BR clear=all><DIV class=text11 style="BACKGROUND: #fff"><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>
PARIS, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Olympique Lyon striker Fred will be out of action for the rest of the year after tearing a muscle in his right thigh in Sunday's 4-1 win at Olympique Marseille, the French champions said on Wednesday. Norway's John Carew and 19-year-old French forward Karim Benzema are set to deputise for the injured Brazilian. 'For the 13 matches we have to play until the winter break, John and Karim will take it in turns,' coach Gerard Houllier told L'Equipe. 'One of Lyon's major strengths is the players always give it their best when they are called up.' Carew is expected to play in the League Cup second-round tie at home to Paris St Germain later on Wednesday. Lyon are undefeated this season in domestic competition and in the Champions League. Houllier's side have won their last 11 competitive matches and are eight points clear of second-placed Marseille in Ligue 1.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DIV>
PARIS, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Olympique Lyon striker Fred will be out of action for the rest of the year after tearing a muscle in his right thigh in Sunday's 4-1 win at Olympique Marseille, the French champions said on Wednesday. Norway's John Carew and 19-year-old French forward Karim Benzema are set to deputise for the injured Brazilian. 'For the 13 matches we have to play until the winter break, John and Karim will take it in turns,' coach Gerard Houllier told L'Equipe. 'One of Lyon's major strengths is the players always give it their best when they are called up.' Carew is expected to play in the League Cup second-round tie at home to Paris St Germain later on Wednesday. Lyon are undefeated this season in domestic competition and in the Champions League. Houllier's side have won their last 11 competitive matches and are eight points clear of second-placed Marseille in Ligue 1.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DIV>