Thomas has no regrets

The 26-year-old joined from Le Mans in the summer and has no regrets over the move that initially saw him miss out on first-team football.

"I really feel better," he told Football365 in France. "It was difficult for me because it was my first move. I have discovered a lot of new things.

“But during the hard times I never regretted signing for Auxerre. I never doubted it once, even when I was on the bench."

Thomas believes that keeping his head down and pushing coach Jean Fernandez for a start was key, and that this has gone hand-in-hand with his team's upturn in fortunes:

“Thanks to hard work, I integrated into the team and my return coincides with the good results, so it is fantastic," he continued. “Auxerre are a level above Le Mans. At every good club like this, things are straightforward; if you don't play well, you are replaced.

“I am close to captain Benoit Cheyrou, he told me not to give up. Now I am proud of what is happening to me.

“I don't want to disappoint the people who believed in me and made efforts for my arrival. I still have a lot to show.”

Auxerre lie one place below Thomas' former club Le Mans, in tenth.