Vignal explains Bastia choice

LIVERPOOL defender Gregory Vignal has revealed he chose to move to Bastia on loan ahead of Lens and Nantes because he has a better chance of first-team football at the Corsica outfit.

Reds boss Gerard Houllier has allowed the French Under-21 international to return to Le Championnat until the end of the season for regular action as he is well down the pecking order at Anfield.

Vignal has been restricted to starts in the Worthington Cup this season and one brief substitute appearance in the Champions League.

Jamie Carragher, John Arne Riise and Djimi Traore are all ahead of him in the pecking order for a place at left back, but he is hoping to prove his worth at Bastia like Traore did at Lens last term on loan.

"Gerard Gili (the Bastia coach) showed a lot of interest for me, but what Gerard Houllier wanted is the fact that I am able to play," Vignal told L'Equipe.

"Bastia offered the best guarantees.

"I am coming to Bastia to find the pace again and start to improve again."