Djorkaeff set to fill in for Zidane

YOURI DJORKAEFF is expected to stand in for the injured Zinedine Zidane in France’s World Cup curtain raiser against Senegal on Friday but he believes the Real Madrid star is irreplaceable.

Djorkaeff was part of France’s World Cup-winning squad four years ago before falling from favour as he became locked in a feud with German club side Kaiserslautern.

He joined English Premiership strugglers Bolton and fought his way back into French coach Roger Lemerre’s plans, although a serious injury to fellow midfielder Robert Pires helped his cause.

Now the most capped player in the French squad will be asked to fill Zidane’s creative role after the inspirational midfielder tore a thigh muscle in the friendly against South Korea on Sunday. But Djorkaeff said no one could truly replace the man who played such a huge role in France’s World Cup win.

"Zidane is irreplaceable. I’ve never come into a match saying ‘I’m playing in place of so-and-so’. I’ve got enough international selections under my belt to be worth my place.

"It’s no problem to me whether I play in the midfield, on the right or the left. The most important thing is to play," added the 34-year-old who has played 80 times for his country.

"But I was already extremely satisfied to start against South Korea on Sunday when everyone was available and no one was injured.

"However I’d be happy to play the opening match when you consider the season I’ve had, the way it could go and the event it represents."

Djorkaeff said Zidane’s injury would show the world that France remained a multi-faceted team.

"This injury shouldn’t worry anyone in the squad or sow any seeds of doubt. In fact, it should help the players to pull together. The French team places more emphasis on the team than on individuals."

The 1998 World Cup-winning coach Aime Jacquet said that France will be capable of overcoming the injury to their star midfielder.

"In 1998, France had to learn how to play well without Zidane," he said. "The side progressed and learnt from the experience. But all the teams will want to beat us, so we must be at the top of our game."