Soccer-Cris back in Lyon squad to face United

LYON, France, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Brazil defender Cris, who has not played for six months, has been included in Olympique Lyon's squad for Wednesday's first leg of their Champions League first knockout round tie against Manchester United.

"He is in the squad, which is good news," coach Alain Perrin, who is not expected to field Cris in his starting line-up for the match at Lyon's Gerland stadium, told a news conference on Tuesday.

Cris has not played since undergoing surgery on torn right knee ligaments in August. During his absence, Brazil midfielder Juninho took over as the Lyon captain.

Brazilian striker Fred, who missed Lyon's 1-0 Ligue 1 defeat at Le Mans on Saturday with angina, and midfielder Mathieu Bodmer, who sustained a head injury in that game, were both fit to play, Perrin said. (Reporting by Patrick Vignal, Editing by Justin Palmer)