Saint-Etienne defender Loic Perrin has said that he is pleased with his team's progress this season.

Les Verts won 1-0 against Evian TG at home on Sunday to move up to third in Ligue 1 on 53 points from 31 matches.

"We'll see what happens, but we're not in any doubt as to our capacities," he told reporters. "It has been a bit tough recently, but there are always tough periods in a season and you just have to figure out how to get through them.

"The win tonight makes our recent run of draws look a lot more respectable and it was great to keep a clean sheet after conceding six in our last three matches.

"We need to keep up the good work when we travel to Valenciennes [on April 12]. We know it will be tough, like all our matches at the moment."

Lyon are level on points with Saint-Etienne but a place behind in fourth on goal difference.