Soccer-France roundup-Lyon's Benzema spares thought for Ronaldo

PARIS, Feb 15 (Reuters) - Brief news from Ligue 1 ahead of this weekend's matches:

* Olympique Lyon striker Karim Benzema, who grew up admiring Ronaldo, said he felt sorry for the Brazil and AC Milan striker over his serious knee injury.

"He would have deserved another end to his career," said the 20-year-old France striker, who has a collection of Ronaldo matches on DVD and studies his every move.

"To me he is the best player ever," Benzema told his club's Web site (www.olweb.fr). "Even if he stops playing football I'll keep watching the DVDs. Having a career like his is my dream."

* Lyon coach Alain Perrin may rest a few walued players, among them Benzema, for Saturday's match at Le Mans, the last outing before the Ligue 1 leaders welcome Manchester United in the first leg of their Champions League first knockout round tie next week.

* Second-placed Girondins Bordeaux could be without Marouane Chamakh at Monaco on Sunday. The Morocco striker hurt his knee in a 2-1 defeat at Anderlecht in the UEFA Cup on Wednesday and missed training on Thursday.

* Toulouse, visiting fellow strugglers Auxerre on Saturday, hope to welcome back Johan Elmander. The Sweden striker has resumed training after a knee injury.