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Thursday, November 05, 2009
RAYMOND DOMENECH names his France squad for next week’s World Cup qualifying play-off against Ireland this afternoon with doubts over his two most senior players.
Captain Patrick Vieira has not played a competitive match for France for over 12 months while Thierry Henry, the interim skipper, only returned from injury last night, coming on as a late sub for Barcelona in their Champions League scoreless draw at Rubin Kazan.
Vieira, who has played in Inter Milan’s last five matches, can assume his international career is over if he is not picked, although he might struggle to break up Les Bleus’ in-form midfield partnership of Jeremy Toulalan and Lassana Diarra.
At the moment their first reserve is Toulouse’s impressive youngster Moussa Sissoko, who should also make the squad.
Henry, meanwhile, has been criticised by the Spanish press for taking so long to recover from a heel injury picked up during last month’s win over Austria. The implication in Spain is that he is saving himself for the France team, a suggestion rubbished by former team-mate Robert Pires.
"We know fully well that when Titi says he is injured, he has never faked it," said Pires. "This injury is bothering him, and he is taking his time, grinning and bearing it."
Nicolas Anelka is likely to pip Sidney Govou and Florent Malouda to a place in the side, while Andre-Pierre Gignac is still ahead of Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema in the centre-forward’s pecking-order.
Domenech’s problem area in this qualifying campaign has been in defence, where the coach has tried seven different centre-back partnerships since Euro 2008. In recent matches he has partnered Eric Abidal, ostensibly a left-back, with William Gallas in the middle, and he looks set to keep faith with the duo against Ireland.
He has yet to pick the same five defensive players for more than two successive games for 18 months, which is why left-back Patrice Evra explained their defensive problems by saying: "In the French team, things can change from one day to the next."
Meanwhile, Ireland goalkeeper Keiren Westwood could miss the play-offs against France unless his condition improves.
Westwood looks set to miss his third game running for Coventry City at Derby this week with a back injury leaving the 25-year-old Manchester born goalkeeper short of match practice before the all important double header with France.
"There is no improvement with Keiren so he is a big doubt for Friday," said Sky Blues manager Chris Coleman. "He’s seeing a specialist and hopefully we will know more after that."
Elsewhere Fulham boss Roy Hodgson confirmed Damien Duff will not feature against Roma in the Europa League tonight or against Wigan in the Premier League on Sunday.
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