Frustrated Henry looks for French improvement

THIERRY Henry says that he and his French team-mates have yet to fire on all cylinders as they approach tonight’s final Euro 2004 Group B match with Switzerland.

The feelgood factor generated by Zinedine Zidane's heroics against England has been replaced by uncertainty after a 2-2 draw with Croatia. The champions still need a draw against the Swiss to be certain of qualifying for the quarter-finals. Not least of their worries is the form of Henry, who has been muted.

"The forwards need more space. I am feeling frustrated not to be getting the quality of ball in more favourable conditions," he said. However, he says he can not complain about the fact he has Zidane, the FIFA World Player of the Year, as his main supply line.

He said: "Zizou is Zizou. It's normal that he imposes the rhythm of the game and that any moment he can produce a piece of magic. Against Croatia we worked hard and never gave up just as we did not against England. Against Switzerland we must have the same philosophy.

Henry is well aware that the Swiss who could still qualify will not surrender without a battle.

France coach Jacques Santini says Henry has not yet shown the form that made him runner-up to Zidane in the World Player of the Year award.

After the Croatia game he said: "In terms of the number of goals and assists he had for Arsenal, I have to agree he is not at his top form."

One piece of good news for Santini is that Chelsea midfielder Claude Makelele is fit again and should face the Swiss in place of Olivier Dacourt, who had a poor game against Croatia.

The decision to pick Sylvain Wiltord instead of Robert Pires also backfired and it is likely Pires will be restored to the starting 11.

The biggest dilemma could be in defence for Santini with some frailty shown in both matches so far.

Mikael Silvestre has given penalties away in both matches, although he believes he was unlucky to be penalised for a foul on Dovani Rosso against Croatia and his blushes were spared against England when Fabien Barthez saved David Beckham's spot-kick.

Marcel Desailly, who missed the England game, was restored to the side for his 116th cap against Croatia but his hesitation was responsible for Dado Prso's goal. France looked vulnerable against Croatia without Makelele and Bixente Lizarazu, who had made way for Desailly with Silvestre switching to left-back from the centre.

Lizarazu, 34, could return against the Swiss and that would mean either Silvestre or Desailly would be benched for the match at the Estadio Cidade de Coimbra.

Probable teams:

Switzerland: Stiel; Henchoz, Mueller, Murat Yakin, Spycher; Wicky, Vogel, Huggel; Hakan Yakin; Chapuisat (or Johann Vonlanthen), Frei.

France: Barthez; Gallas, Thuram, Silvestre, Lizarazu; Vieira, Makelele, Pires, Zidane; Henry, Trezeguet.